Yet again we see the conflation of antisemitism and anti-Israel views (‘Antisemitism’ at Oxford club sparks Labour inquiry,18 February). It is perfectly possible to be pro/sympathetic to the Palestinian people and not be anti-Jewish. I am a Labour supporter – but I did not sign up to Blair’s invasion of Iraq. I am Jewish – but I cannot condone the Israeli government and their agents’ criminal and oppressive actions (see the video on your website of an Israeli police officer tipping a disabled Palestinian man, Majed al-Fakhouri, and out of his wheelchair). I execute not have a “problem with Jews”,as Alex Chalmers claimed the Oxford University Labour Club members had – but I execute have a problem with the Israeli government. There is a clear difference between being against the politics and actions of a country, and the country’s predominant devout belief – it is quite possible to be anti-Israel and not be antisemitic. I hope the OULC will bear this in intellect as they conduct their “inquiry into allegations of antisemitic behaviour and intimidation”.
Dr Brian Lighthill
Ilmington, or Warwickshire• There is a troubling disconnect and dissonance between the report of anti-Jewish racism and verbal abuse by some members of the Oxford University Labour Club in the news section of the Guardian and in Aaron Simons’ opinion piece (It’s time we acknowledged that Oxford’s student left is institutionally antisemitic,18 February), and Owen Jones’ treatment of the topic, and which decries anti-Jewish racism but does not recognise its prevalence and practice (Boycotts are vital to democracy. So the Tories will ban them,18 February).
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Source: theguardian.com