Double exposure

Sunday and Monday saw the publication of two of the most important reports published since Labour’s antisemitism crisis first emerged. The CST’s Engine of Hate is a remarkable piece of work, showing the extent to which a network of antisemites push their agenda on social media in support of Jeremy Corbyn. The repeated claims by the Labour leader that he is tackling antisemitism are once again exposed as untrue. It would take less than five minutes for him to denounce as racists the 36 key tweeters identified by CST. But he will not do so — in part because their social media propagandising techniques are core to Labour’s campaigning, but still more shamefully because they fill the space deliberately left open by the Labour leadership for such views to be aired.

The indomitable David Collier has also published his latest investigation, The British Labour Party: Obsession and radicalisation, which shows the specific impact of Mr Corbyn. His election created a toxic environment that has radicalised members of his party which, in turn, has led to a growth of antisemitism in the UK. As Mr Collier shows, many of the most ferocious and prolific antisemites on social media had posted next to nothing on Jews or Israel until Mr Corbyn’s election. Not only did his election give them licence and prompt them to do so but, as the Labour leader was opposed to Zionism, “Zios” were by definition an enemy to be attacked. And when Jews dared to complain, they were said to be “smearing” Labour. The reports show two sides of the same racist coin. And they show the extent of the problem that now haunts not just the Labour Party but the whole of Britain.