Jewish people sighed collective relief in the early hours of Friday morning, the 13th December. We could finally say good riddance to Jeremy Corbyn, one of the most openly anti-Semitic political leaders in the Western world. The man who said Hamas is working for "peace and social justice" and that "The BBC has a bias in favour of saying Israel has a right to exist." The man who laid a wreath on the grave of one of the Munich Olympic terrorists.
Friday morning I even received some messages from people quoting the Book of Esther: "And in the twelfth month...on the thirteenth day [uncanny timing!] thereof, when the king's order and his edict drew near to be put into execution, on the day that the Jews' enemies looked forward to ruling over them, it was reversed, the Jews ruled over their enemies." (Esther 9:1)
While it is true that we can sigh a collective relief at the election result, there are unfortunately worrying trends that need to be confronted.
First of all, Corbyn still secured the vote of roughly one in three people. It should be nowhere near that high for a man who holds his beliefs.
Secondly, young people are still voting overwhelmingly for Corbyn, and on UK campuses Corbyn and his style of far-left, anti-Israel politics is very much celebrated and preached. In fact, in this election it was the university cities that were the key wins for Corbyn.
So while the British public roundly rejected Corbyn, the future for the UK as older generations pass and new generations, educated on radical campuses, increase their percentage of the electorate is deeply concerning.
It is a priority to help student movements in the UK that aim to fight back against the far-left culture on college campuses.
And this is not a problem limited to the UK. The United States is also seeing similar trends. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (as well as other voices in her party) endorsed Jeremy Corbyn and embraces his type of far-left politics. At the very least she was ignoring Corbyn's anti-Semitism; at the very worst embracing it.
And this issue of anti-Semitism is not limited to the far-Left either. We are also seeing a slow, creeping increase in the volume of the far-right or "alt-right" voices in the West - those that want to see the "white race" preserved - a more old fashioned style of anti-Semitism and racism.
I consider the far-Left to be a bigger threat because they are still seen as more acceptable. The far-Left can write articles for the New York Times. The white supremacist alt-right can't appear on Fox News. But we must remain vigilant to these forces and do what we can to fight them.
Fortunately Jews have many friends in the West, and it seems the majority are with us. But the trends among the upcoming generation aren't looking great. We cannot stop fighting back against the radicalism on both sides.
We must continue to speak the truth. We must continue to educate younger generations. And we must continue to ask God for compassion and guidance.
So as far as Jeremy Corbyn is concerned, we may have won the battle, but the war rages on.
(13) brakefield, December 23, 2019 11:13 PM
Corbyn
Bring him on and AOC and any others that want on the train. It's going to crash and burn when Mashiach comes at the latest but history does demonstrate that HaShem can deal with a lot but HE does have a line that I would suggest it not be crossed. Since part of the discussion is about young people, may I suggest that if they do nothing else they ought to know how to identify Karma because it's coming and it hurts.
(12) Gila, December 18, 2019 2:32 PM
This is just the beginning of the fightback for human rights and freedom for all in Britain
Tragically, much of the growing antisemitism in Britain and in the west generally is connected with the rising Muslim population and the inherent antisemitism contained within Islamic political ideology. There is not just a problem of antisemitism here, but of hatred and bigotry towards non-Muslims generally. This urgently needs to be recognized, debated and outed at the very highest levels, if Britain is to have a real future as a free country with respect for the human rights of ALL its citizens irrespective of differences. This is a video I released just today on my channel about this vital issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5OKC1E7ZeQ
Keith, UK, December 21, 2019 4:54 PM
Wake up, world!
Thank you Gila. HaShem has spoken to you and through you. May G-d keep you safe always.............. שלום
(11) Deborah, December 17, 2019 8:19 PM
A Soon-To-Be-British-Jew Says "Thank G-d!"
I thanked G-d with a loud voice on Friday morning as I found that Corbyn had been defeated. While I am not a fan of the incumbent Prime Minister, I would class myself as a pessimistic conservative nationalist and thus uninterested in the confetti promises bestowed by Corbyn. In short, I am biased.
But his promotion of far-Left cultural ideas which have caused such decay and division in society, as well as the stain of anti-Semitism-- particularly unpunished anti-Semitism, sealed my decision not to vote for his party. I am glad that he lost decisively and must leave British politics. I have hope that the British people will withstand this onslaught, with G-d's help of course.
(10) Regina, December 16, 2019 11:45 PM
GOOD RIDDANCE...
...but you're quite right, we only won this battle and the war is Global.
AOC is Sanders' protege - A JEW, at least by birth; Blumenthal, senator from Connecticut, responded to President Trump's powerful strike against campus anti-semitism, by saying "I am an American" ("I am a German" is what the Jews said in the 1930's) Less than a hundred years later and with BILLIONS of dollars spent internationally to educate people, nothing has changed.
AM YISROEL CHAI.
(9) David Levine, December 16, 2019 12:45 AM
Corbyn--Literally a National Socialist
What has happened to the British Labour Party is a metaphor for what is in the process of happening in the Democ-rat Party. Although under Corbyn's leadership in lost this election it will go on and become even more radical left and anti Semitic, literally National Socialist. Socialism of all types is an evil philosophy and inimical to the best interests of Jews and the Jewish people. The program of the Labour Party is indistinguishable from that of our Democ-rat Party, especially those younger Democ-rats who are rising in it. It must be defeated a all levels of government, Federal, state and local. Let it go the way of its cousin, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
(8) Anonymous, December 16, 2019 12:20 AM
cut out federal funding as Trump has done. No money hell get rid of it.
Money, cut out federal funding as has Trump done to all universities and colleges that allow antisemitism and anti Israel tirades.
All that allow BDS and all that allow any kind of hatred whatever.
Watch what happens in the U.S. when the feds cut off the money.
There will be a warning to certain students to cut out the hatred or get suspended. Just watch.
(7) Puck, December 15, 2019 8:33 PM
Corbyn Out, Labour Corbynites still in
Despite the good news that Corbyn i sout, Antisemitism is not dead within the labour party. Many openly antisemitic Labour appratchniks and MPs are still working their will within the party.
David Levine, December 16, 2019 12:47 AM
Absolutely True.
Just as McGovernicks retained control of the Democ-rat party after its loss in 1972 the Corbyinistas will retain control of the Labour Party.
(6) David Gertman, December 15, 2019 7:08 PM
Sad but true
The author was correct to point out the growing anti Semitic leanings on the left. It is profoundly shocking that b one in three voted for an openly anti Semitic candidate whose party hasn’t Dow enough to combat. Sadly the Democratic Party hasn’t done enough to take on the anti semites.
(5) Miri, December 15, 2019 6:57 PM
Policy
I agree that Corbyn's antisemitism is seriously dangerous. But in the same time I think many young people voted for Labour because of its good policies and other good local candidates, not because they support Corbyn's antisemitism.
(4) Rachel, December 15, 2019 5:30 PM
Parliamentary system
1/3 of Britons did not vote for Corbyn. They voted for their local Labour candidate. This is different from the US system of voting separately for Congress and for the president. Were I a British citizen, I would have voted for a thirdparty candidate. Anti-Semitism is categorically unacceptable, but there are also huge problems with the Conservatives.
Anonymous, December 16, 2019 12:50 AM
Corbyn Was The Face o/t Party
The 1/3 of Brits who voted Labour did sl knowing that the MP candidate they supported would make that National Socialist the Prime Minister. Stop making excuses for those who vote for the Left--the Labour Party in the UK and the Democ-rat Party in the US. They're ALL a malignancy!
Rachel, December 16, 2019 10:46 PM
Please stop your hateful comments
Calling people like me “Democ-rats” is not helpful. People have concerns including healthcare, schools, social security, etc. That is more likely to motivate their votes for Labour (or the Democratic Party in the US) than Corbyn’s anti-Semitism. Fortunately, he has indicated he will not stand for leadership again.
Were I a British citizen, I would not have voted for Labour nor Tories, but at least they have a multiparty system.
In the US, I generally vote Democratic unless the Democratic candidate is objectionable. I depend on my Social Security and Medicare and I will vote against anyone who threatens the benefits I earned over years of work. I would also vote against anyone who wants to remove the tax deduction for charitable donations, which would affect all the Jewish institutions I support , including my Orthodox shul and the dayschools my children attended.
I respect your opinion. I hope you will try to understand mine.
Raymond, December 18, 2019 2:28 AM
The Power of Free-Market Economics
There is absolutely no need to worry whatsoever that Republicans will ever take away social security, Medicare, or Tax Deductions for charity. In fact, the very opposite is the case, since the free-market economics favored by us political conservatives brings greater economic prosperity to just about everyone, which can only enhance the condition of those three things that you wish to protect.
(3) Anonymous, December 15, 2019 4:18 PM
Purim/Corbyn
I love that people made the connection between Corbyn and the Megilla. My mom celebrated, bli ayin harah, her 98th birthday on 12/`13. I have a 13 birthday in another month as does my niece. People always say that 13 is an unlucky number, when in fact it is very lucky in Judaism. May this be the beginning of the defeat of our enemies, and may President Trump have the same success as Boris Johnson in 2020.
Anonymous, December 15, 2019 11:46 PM
My heart is glad!
It makes my heart glad to know that there are sensible people among the young generation. Right is right. I agree, may President Trump win another term in Office. As far as Corbyn goes-good riddance to bad trash. Thank you for your comments and may your Mother live to be 120!! Shalom!
(2) Ken Woolfson, December 15, 2019 2:28 PM
Thank goodness
Mr. Corbyn says he is not an anti-Semite, but he certainly behaved suspiciously for someone who claims not to be a hater of the Jewish people. I am very happy that he did not get elected.
Perhaps common sense prevailed in Britain.
(1) Yoni, December 15, 2019 2:14 PM
The trends...
The trends are indeed deeply troubling in the United States as well. What’s the solution? I don’t think there is one besides for Moshiach....