closeicon

Fiyaz Mughal

Rachel Riley refused to be cowed - so let's celebrate her inspirational legal victory

Anyone with empathy for Britain's Jews would have questioned the direction of Labour under Corbyn

articlemain
December 24, 2021 09:54

Rachel Riley’s recent libel win, led by the indomitable lawyer Mark Lewis, shows the perils of reading things into tweets that are not expressly stated. 

The fact is that the last 5 years have sent shivers through large sections of Jewish communities, around how antisemitism can creep into a major political party in this country, namely the Labour Party that historically attracted Jewish political activism.

That fear led to a consistent and moral challenge by many against a system and leadership at the time, which was seen to be hostile to the social well-being of Britain’s Jews. Anyone with an ounce of empathy, care and real affection for Britain’s Jews would have reached out, listened and even questioned the direction of where the Labour leadership was going under Corbyn.

Many in the Party simply did not and carried on believing that the issue of antisemitism in the Labour Party would have no real bearing on the British public. How wrong they were, because it was one of a number of core issues that turned off British voters. Labour was hammered into political oblivion.

In addition to this, what became evidently clear under a Corbyn leadership was how the political far left felt at ease with antisemitism by hijacking the Palestinian cause. It energised them, raised their campaigning to aggressive levels and opened up a social media barrage of division.

It also showed us all how opportunistic the political far left is, like the emperor with no clothes; morally bankrupt, looking in the mirror as though they are a beacon of beauty when their image to the wider public is exactly the opposite.

Rachel Riley’s win is one strand emanating from this time of fear felt by many Jews. She stands in the spirit of those Jews who have resisted.

A spirit that is as unique to Jewish history as is the story of Masada. Long may that resistance live on.

Fiyaz Mughal is a founder trustee of Muslims Against Antisemitism

December 24, 2021 09:54

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive