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Tom Watson receives antisemitic abuse after speaking out against Jeremy Corbyn
Momentum-backed left-winger suspended after saying 'Judas only took 30 pieces of silver'
August 6, 2018 10:26
Momentum-backed left-winger suspended after saying 'Judas only took 30 pieces of silver'
August 6, 2018 10:26Tom Watson’s decision to intervene in Labour’s antisemitism row has seen him targeted with a stream of anti-Jewish abuse himself.
The party's Deputy Leader has been the subject of a #ResignWatson on social media, started by activists loyal to Jeremy Corbyn, after Mr Watson warned Labour could "disappear into a vortex of eternal shame and embarrassment" unless it resolves its on-going antisemitism crisis.
One message was sent to Mr Watson by the Momentum backed National Policy Forum candidate George McManus, which said: “Apparently Electoral Commission states that Watson received £50 000 + from Jewish donors.
“At least Judas only got 30 pieces of silver.”
Labour MP Wes Streeting said that Mr McManus’s message was a “100 per cent a classic antisemitic trope” and "more from the cesspit". He also called for Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby to take “swift action”.
More from the cesspit. This isn't even subtle. This is 100% a classic antisemitic trope - and from a Momentum-backed member of Labour's National Policy Forum. Will swift action be taken @jeremycorbyn @JennieGenSec? pic.twitter.com/0fNui8fq38
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) August 6, 2018
Labour’s John Mann also called for Mr McManus to be expelled from the party, writing: "McManus is a racist who needs kicking out of the Labour Party today.”
McManus is a racist who needs kicking out of the Labour Party today https://t.co/dwxTFwPoaP
— John Mann (@JohnMannMP) August 6, 2018
On Monday afternoon, after a string of complaints about Mr McManus, Labour confirmed he had been suspended.
Momentum founder Jon Lansman also attacked some of the criticism directed at Mr Watson by pro-Corbyn activists – including those suggesting the deputy leader was influenced by donations from Sir Trevor Chinn, who it was suggested “represents the Jewish Leadership Council.”
Mr Lansman wrote: "Do you not realise that Trevor Chinn is associated with the most progressive Jewish causes and charities like New Israel Fund and Yachad. Your assumptions about Jews’ political attitudes are I’m afraid antisemitic.”
Numerous messages also attempted to attack Mr Watson for taking money from Jewish donors, including Sir Trevor.
Sir Trevor is a supporter of several Labour MPs – including Lisa Nandy, vice-chair of the Labour Friends of Palestine group - but the relentless attacks on Mr Watson failed to mention this.
Another message under the #ResignWatson hashtag said: “Tom Watson is payed £10, 000 a year by Israeli lobbyists simply to call critics of apartheid antisemitic.”
Another person said on Twitter: “Tom Watson is acting on behalf of the Israeli lobbies to attempt to undermine Jeremy Corbyn by jumping on the false allegation of antisemitism for political purpose bandwagon. False allegation in such a manner is antisemitic, putting Jewish people at risk via belittling the term.”
In his own social media message posted on Sunday Mr Watson admitted "it sometimes feels like people have been calling for me to stand down from day one", but added that he never saw it happening "for standing up for people who are facing prejudice and hate".
