Corbyn Vs. Omar, And The Battle For Anti-Semitism

With allegations of anti-Semitism swirling within the Democratic Party, many are comparing the increasingly radical American Left with the Labour Party of the United Kingdom.

Led by Jeremy Corbyn, the Left-wing party have been embroiled with their own scandals, with many members of the party (including Corbyn) accused of being anti-Semitic, or enabling the spread of anti-Semitism.

There are multiple similarities between the anti-Semitism of the radical elements of the Democratic Party and the Labour Party. While vile “classic” examples of anti-Semitism exist, the majority of high-profile criticisms are related to anti-Semitic rhetoric thinly veiled as “anti-Israel.” Both Corbyn and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) have supported the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, spoken in support of terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and used anti-Semitic tropes on multiple occasions.

Additionally, many supporters of anti-Semites within the Democratic Party or the Labour Party have refused to acknowledge that anti-Semitism exists within their ranks, preferring to focus on the claim that anti-Semitism is exclusive to the political Right. They willingly ignore that, while anti-Semitism clearly exists on the radical Right, it has yet to become part of the mainstream Right. The same cannot be said of the Left.

With these similarities in mind, alongside Europe’s dark history of anti-Semitism, it is understandable that many are using the spread of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party as a warning for the Democrats. Many political commentators are concerned that Corbyn’s brand of anti-Semitic Leftism will penetrate the American Left.

This concern, however, is actually the wrong way around. The spread of anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party is far more concerning than in the Labour Party. While both forms are undeniably despicable, and the Democratic Party’s form of anti-Semitism is younger than its counterpart across the Atlantic Ocean, the American Left’s anti-Semitism is being given the tools to thrive.

The reason for this is that the anti-Semitism from the likes of Ilhan Omar has been completely embraced by the mainstream elements of the Democratic Party, as well as by many among the mainstream media. House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) effectively prostrated herself at the feet of anti-Semitism by making absurd excuses for Omar. Other high-profile members of the Democratic Party, including several presidential candidates, have rushed to the defense of their anti-Semitic “allies.”

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party is being torn apart by an internal struggle against systematic bigotry, alongside constant pressure from the mainstream media. Just recently, several Labour MPs resigned, forming their own Independent Party in protest of the widespread anti-Semitism which is being allowed to fester. Labour MPs and members have spent years condemning Corbyn and his anti-Semitic associates, supported by Jewish groups on both sides of the political aisle.

While Corbyn is publicly and vocally vilified for his revolting views by members of his own party, the Democrats are rushing to Omar’s side. Despite voicing clear views of hatred toward an ally of the United States (and the only democracy in the Middle East), she remains on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Despite her repeated use of anti-Semitic tropes, there have been no resignations, just disingenuous attempts at defense or deflection. The Democrats can’t even agree that anti-Semitism is worth condemnation, after playing their own “All Lives Matter” card by suggesting that we should condemn “all hate.”