Both the Jewish Chronicle and Guido Fawkes have raised concerns over a photograph used by Lewisham Momentum to advertise a forthcoming debate on antisemitism. But my first reaction is to think it’s rather a good choice (though an appalling image of course).
It’s easy to imagine Momentum (or some other further left group) denying the problem, ignoring the problem, acknowledging the problem but insisting it’s nothing to do with them or avoiding the issue of the ‘new antisemitism’. This Momentum event doesn’t seem to be guilty of any of these. Here’s Lansman’s response:
“The meeting will discuss antisemitism and the left. I did not choose the cover photo but my understanding is that it was chosen to illustrate a contemporary form of antisemitism rather than endorse it.”
and here’s what appears to be a pretty frank statement from Lewisham Momentum.
“Sure it is offensive, it isn’t very edifying… That’s the point of using such a photo that was taken on a protest that many of us were involved in. The discussion has to be had and we have to challenge ideas in our movement if we are to move forward and develop an understanding of different and specific kinds of oppression and racism.”
If people who have used antisemitic tropes carelessly in the past are now willing to acknowledge the problem and try to find out more – isn’t that a good thing?
