Counterfire log in

antisemitism

Tiers of a clown – weekly briefing

Lindsey German on the idiocy of Tory pandemic policy and Starmer’s witch-hunt on the march
‘Islamo-leftism’: Macron ramps up attacks on Muslims and the left in France

In France, ‘Islamo-gauchisme’ is the watchword of a widening attack on basic freedoms, targeting anti-racists and the left writes Susan Ram
Starmer, Corbyn and the Labour whip: this is a war against the left

Withholding the whip from Corbyn is unjustifiable. The left must unite and fight back against Starmer's war on the left, argues Chris Nineham
Retreating won't stop the attacks on Corbyn and the left

If the left doesn’t get on the front foot, the attacks will only keep coming, argues Shabbir Lakha
No capitulation to Starmer's witch-hunt: fight back now

The question isn't 'stay or leave', it's whether or not the left inside and outside the Labour party is going to fight back, argues John McInally
Defend Corbyn: the key thing is to fight - video

Lindsey German speaks at a mass online rally in defence of Jeremy Corbyn
Crossing red lines: why the establishment wants to destroy Corbyn

Corbyn's anti-war principles and their popular appeal are the biggest threat to the establishment, says Chris Nineham
Antisemitism is weaponised in Ontario

As the IHRA definition becomes law in Ontario, and attacks on our ability to fight for Palestine and criticise Israel intensify, the left mustn't give an inch, argues John Clarke
This is a fight: there is no unity with the Labour right

You can't win a war if you don't realise you're in one. Time to fight, argues Shabbir Lakha
The half-hearted lockdown from the cabinet of fools - weekly briefing

Lindsey German on Tories, Covid and the Jeremy Corbyn open season
Defending Corbyn: what's at stake for the radical left

We need an explicitly anti-capitalist left to fight back against the centre's assault which is paving the way for an emboldened radical right, argues Kevin Ovenden
Defend Corbyn: Counterfire statement on Jeremy Corbyn's suspension

The whole of the left must unite to defend Jeremy Corbyn from this outrageous attack
The attack on Jeremy Corbyn is baseless – there is nothing to support it in the EHRC report

The EHRC report does not uphold claims that Labour under Corbyn was institutionally antisemitic and does not justify the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, argues Chris Nineham
EHRC report: a green light for further attacks on Corbyn and the left which must be resisted

Lindsey German's statement ahead of the EHRC report into antisemitism in the Labour Party
McCluskey: Starmer's decision to settle is a 'huge miscalculation'

McCluskey is right. Union subs should not be paying off those who helped the Tories win power, argues Chris Neville
Starmer's Panorama drama: an attempt to bury Corbyn's legacy

We repost Anna Southern's article in The Left Berlin on the continued attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and the left
The Labour leadership isn’t serious about anti-racism - CounterBlast

Starmer isn't fighting racism, he's fighting the left, writes Lucy Nichols
Jeremy Corbyn is right to challenge claims of 'institutional antisemitism'

Labour’s decision to settle with former party officials looks like a politically motivated attack on the left, writes Alex Snowdon
The battle is on: and the left can’t win in Labour - weekly briefing

Lindsey German on Labour, the left and taking on the Tories
Sacking Long-Bailey accelerates Labour’s drive to the right - CounterBlast

The sacking of the shadow cabinet’s only prominent socialist is a milestone in Labour’s move to the right, argues Alex Snowdon
Starmer’s ruthless at rooting out the left, not antisemitism - CounterBlast

In a week where the Tories are covering for corruption and risking working people’s lives, Keir Starmer is attacking the left instead of the government says Penny Hicks
Starmer plays to the right: where now for the left?

Starmer has signalled war on Labour's left with the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey. It is a deliberate attempt to root out Corbynism from positions of influence
Maxine Peake is right: US and Israeli state violence is linked

Pointing out the link between US police brutality and Israel’s barbaric tactics against Palestinians is no conspiracy theory, argues Shabbir Lakha
Sacking Long-Bailey is a disgrace: it's proof Starmer is leading a witch-hunt against the left - CounterBlast 25 June

There can no longer be any doubt, Starmer is leading a witch-hunt against the left in Labour at a time when the Tories are in maximum disarray, writes Chris Nineham
If VE Day never came: It Happened Here - film review

On the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Tom Griffiths finds Brownlow and Mollo's alternative vision of Nazi-led Britain in the 1940s still resonates powerfully
Set up to fail? Labour’s not so independent inquiry

Nick Fitzpatrick finds glaring issues with the panel put together by the NEC and its remit to investigate #LabourLeaks
Labour’s explosive report shows how right-wing officials sabotaged the party

A leaked report shows how right-wing Labour officials sabotaged the party during Jeremy Corbyn’s time as leader, writes Alex Snowdon
Raining accusations: Ken Loach under attack

Britain's best known socialist filmmaker has been under attack for weeks as part of the continued assault on our ability to organise for Palestinian rights, argues Sybil Cock
The setbacks for Palestine solidarity and the need to fight back

The setbacks in the movement for solidarity with Palestine and the failure of militant anti-racism is a catastrophe for the left, and one that must be quickly rectified, argues David Jamieson
Bernie Sanders vs the Democrat establishment – weekly briefing

Lindsey German on democratic socialism, witch-hunting and the fight for women’s liberation
The weaponisation of antisemitism in Canada continues

If we are to confront the reality Israeli apartheid, false charges of antisemitism cannot go unchallenged, writes John Clarke
On Holocaust Memorial Day

Never again! This requires action now, as well as reflection, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
Tony Cliff: The Jews, Israel and the Holocaust

Tony Cliff was a Palestinian Jew and leading revolutionary socialist in Britain. On Holocaust Memorial Day, and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, we republish an article that he wrote in 1998.
Jewish activists speak out: why we’re campaigning for Corbyn

Counterfire’s Kate O’Neil caught up with three Jewish activists campaigning for Jeremy Corbyn this week to hear what they had to say
Antisemitism, politics, and voting Tory - election briefing 6 December

Let’s stop apologising for having done nothing wrong, insists Lindsey German
Why we will not be silent on Palestine

The fight for a free Palestine will not stop until there is justice and equality for all, writes Gabriel Polley
The problem with Nancy Astor

Tory and media championing of the antisemitic Astor reveals an acute case of double standards, argues Katherine Connelly
Antisemitism: real news, old news and fake news - election briefing 27 November

Lindsey German on racism and witch-hunting
Lies, lies and more lies - election briefing 26 November

Lindsey German on the smearing of Jeremy Corbyn
No laughing matter - election briefing 21 November

Lindsey German on the state of the race, Swinson’s true colours, and faux antisemitism
Corbynism from Below – book review

Corbynism from Below is a wide-ranging collection of thoughtful essays on this historic opportunity for the left to transform society, finds Kevin Ovenden
The mask keeps slipping - election briefing 7 November

Lindsey German on the persistence of the nasty party and Labour's antisemitism smears
Antifa: the anti-fascist handbook - book review

The long history of anti-fascist mobilisation, outlined in Bray’s Antifa, underlines the importance of broad alliances for mass mobilisations, argues Richard Pratt
Tower Hamlets ban should be a wake up call on Palestine

The IHRA definition is being used to stifle Palestine activism, exactly as activists had warned it would, report Chris Nineham and Sybil Cock
Attack on Palestine solidarity turned back in Vancouver

When the left steps up and organises against the attacks, it can win, as shown in Vancouver, reports John Clarke
‘I am not what I am’: why the left must take action against ‘Iago’ Watson

Tom Watson has made it clear that he will stop at nothing to remove Corbyn and it's about time the left stands up to him, argues Sean Ledwith
There’s only one solution to Labour’s problems: the right have got to go - weekly briefing

The Labour left needs to start giving as good at it gets from its enemies or it will lose, argues Lindsey German
BBC Panorama hatchet job on Labour antisemitism is a farce

The BBC's Panorama on antisemitism in the Labour Party provides no real evidence and shows how cynical the smear campaign is, argues David McAllister
Adopting the IHRA definition didn't end the attacks, it accelerated them

Apologising for an epidemic of antisemitism in Labour that isn't there and giving in to the right's demands has only accelerated the attacks, argues Lindsey German
A dangerous moment for the Corbyn project - weekly briefing

Labour’s internal tensions are jeopardising its most socialist stewardship in modern times, argues Alex Snowdon
Canada joins campaign to stifle criticism of Israel

Canada becomes the next major player in the international drive to weaponise false allegations of antisemitism to protect Israel, writes John Clarke
Be clear: the moves against Chris Williamson are moves against Corbyn

The attacks on Chris Williamson are first and foremost about delegitimising the Corbyn project, writes Isabel Carr
The left needs to hold the line and fight the smears – weekly briefing

Witch-hunt season is back with a vengeance and Corbynism must re-assert itself to stay in the game, argues Alex Snowdon
The poverty of anti-corruption politics

A politics based on anti-corruption obscures class and tends to benefit one side. It's not the left, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
Alastair Campbell isn’t a victim, he’s trying to destroy Corbyn’s leadership

Alastair Campbell is trying to destroy Corbyn's leadership. The left cannot win by capitulating to him, argues Katherine Connelly
It's time for the Labour left to step up to the plate

For Labour to beat the right, the left must stop retreating, argues John Rees
The left needs to stop retreating over the use of the term Zionism

John Rees on what anti-Zionism does and does not mean
The weaponising of antisemitism

The smears against Corbyn and the left are part of a concerted effort to undermine a potential left government and must be opposed, argues Alex Snowdon
A slow coup against Corbyn has started. We must stand up against it.

A coordinated campaign against Jeremy Corbyn is underway and the left inside and outside the Labour Party must stand against it, argues Chris Nineham
5 facts about Aipac and the Israel lobby that prove Ilhan Omar is right

Ilhan Omar is being attacked because she's a radical anti-imperialist, black, Muslim woman on the left, and deserves unconditional solidarity argues Shabbir Lakha
Conspiracy theory: the answer is more left-wing theory not less

Ruling class power can’t be understood as a conspiracy, argues John Rees
Labour and antisemitism: separating facts from fiction

The campaign to destabilise Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party has accelerated. We must oppose the attacks and defend the left, argues Kara Bryan.
Conflating anti-Zionism and antisemitism - Macron’s dangerous game

The French President’s conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism should be seen in the context of the Yellow Vest movement, the crisis of Macronism, and pervasive, state-facilitated Islamophobia, argues Susan Ram
The attack on Chris Williamson is an attack on Corbyn and the left

The decision to suspend Chris Williamson is a capitulation to the right that only gives more ground for attacks on the left, argues Shabbir Lakha
Corbyn is being smeared on antisemitism - and we need to deal with it

There is no contradiction between recognising that antisemitism exists in Labour, and understanding that Corbyn is being smeared, argues Des Freedman
The left should take note: attack is the best form of defence

When the right is attacking you, going along with it is not the solution, fighting back is, argues Chris Nineham
Luciana Berger and the plot against Corbyn: this is no time to retreat

From the antisemitism smears to the threats of splitting from the party over Brexit, the PLP are still at war with Labour's leadership, argues Alex Snowdon
Saying never again means resisting in the present

Remembering the Holocaust means remembering the horrific slaughter of Jewish people, but also the resistance and solidarity, and resolving to put 'never again' into practice, writes Dana Mills
Why I won't speak at the Oxford Union

I was recently asked to debate at the Oxford Union. Here is my letter to the officers of the Oxford Union refusing to do so.
Our ten most popular articles of 2018

The most popular articles on Counterfire this year
Israel's crimes cannot go unanswered

The ongoing assault on the Palestinian people is intensifying, and we need to up our response, argues Mona Kamal
Excising its credibility: Labour’s dilemma over top rate tax - weekly briefing

Dealing with inequality should be central to a radical socialist project, not something to be sidestepped, argues Cameron Panting
Justice for Palestine: a report from the Labour Party conference

Conference shows strong support among Labour members for the Palestinian cause, reports Terina Hine
Why the Labour left must hold the line at conference

As Labour Party Conference commences, Sean Ledwith argues it is essential the left defends the Corbyn project against further retreats, as recent NEC decisions show us
Labour, antisemitism and the damage done

The attacks on Corbyn and the left this summer have been damaging, and can only be dealt with through political struggle, argues Kevin Potter
Is Israel a racist endeavour?

Supporting Palestine is an anti-racist, anti-colonial struggle; Israel is and always has been a racist state, argues Shabbir Lakha
Corbyn’s leadership in danger

The defeat for the Palestinian cause at the hands of the Labour Party’s NEC should not be underestimated
Labour's NEC votes on IHRA; members protest to defend Corbyn

Protesters rallied outside Labour Party HQ to defend Jeremy Corbyn and oppose the IHRA definition, Shabbir Lakha reports
The attacks on Corbyn can only end if they're confronted

Apologies and appeasement won’t stop the witch-hunt against Corbyn
We cannot compromise on the NEC code of conduct on antisemitism

Nothing will appease those who are determined to defeat Corbyn and diminish support for the Palestinians, argues Alex Snowdon
What Frank Field's resignation tells us about the Labour right's slow coup

Destined for deselection, yet citing antisemitism, the nationalist Leaver's parting shot has been supported by Blairites whose only principle is to smash the left, writes Kevin Ovenden
Toronto rally confronts Zionist slanders

As the Toronto community stands firm against Zionist attacks, John Clarke reminds us that our solidarity with the Palestinian cause mustn't be apologised for
It's time to stand up and be counted - what defending Corbyn really means

This is a defining moment for the Corbyn project, and attacks over antisemitism and Palestine must be firmly opposed or they will escalate to chilling effect, argues Chris Nineham
When the lying has to stop – weekly briefing

Calling out the smear merchants for what they are is step one in ending this appalling and unprecedented witch-hunt, argues Lindsey German
The fightback is on: hundreds rally behind Corbyn in London

Hundreds of Londoners rallied against the attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and Palestine on Tuesday, Shabbir Lakha reports
What's wrong with the IHRA definition? - video

A short video explaining why adopting the full IHRA definition would be a mistake for Labour
Back the NEC code: why compromising is the wrong thing to do

Labour's NEC is under pressure to adopt the IHRA definition and some on the left are supporting this move. Alex Snowdon explains what's wrong with this logic
Don’t look here, look there: the one percent, inequality and Jeremy Corbyn - weekly briefing

The rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer isn’t a fact of life; it’s a set of politics that we can change, argues Lindsey German
Defend Jeremy Corbyn: time to fight back - Counterfire statement

Corbyn is right – the left needs to fight back against the slander of antisemitism
Stand firm in attacks against Corbyn, or lose the fight

Right wing attacks on Corbyn have intensified. If we lose ground now, we will pay heavily in the future, argues Alex Snowdon
Hodge case shows why Labour Right needs to be confronted - and defeated

The only appropriate response to Margaret Hodge and her co-conspirators is to take them on politically and defeat them argues Alex Snowdon
Antisemitism: what the left should say – weekly briefing

We should not apologise for things we haven’t done and we do not shut down a witch-hunt by agreeing with it, argues Lindsey German
Antisemitism and apartheid

As Israel enshrines apartheid into law and Jeremy Corbyn is labelled an antisemite, Shabbir Lakha assesses the situation
Why Labour must oppose Israel’s racist apartheid

The Labour Party must not endorse Israeli violence, racism and apartheid policies as MPs have voted to do, argues Alex Snowdon
Windrush and antisemitism: who’s weaponising what?

The Tories are astonishingly trying to turn the windrush scandal into a knock for Labour and Shabbir Lakha argues that it must not stick
Lies, damn lies, and Boris Johnson - weekly briefing

This floundering ruling class operative personifies an exposed and rotten regime, writes Lindsey German
From Jewdas to Skripal: media attacks on Corbyn are out of touch with reality

The British media tells a partial story on racism and its claims against the Labour leader run contrary to the evidence, writes Lindsey German
Bloody Friday in Gaza: a great return massacre

An unarmed, civilian protest from a people who have been oppressed for decades, results in bloodshed and massacre.
France also: a cynical attempt to divide anti-racism in the service of the government right

Unite the left and anti-racist movements in a fight back against cynical right-wing disruption, argues Kevin Ovenden
Jeremy Corbyn isn't antisemitic: we should stop being defensive about it

The antisemitism smear campaign against Jeremy Corbyn is cynical political point scoring and the left must tackle the arguments head on argues Shabbir Lakha
The problem of relativisation

On the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Kevin Ovenden takes on the mistaken politics of relativisation and argues that Europe must take responsibility for its history.
Final Solution: The Fate of the Jews 1933-1949 - book review

David Cesarni’s posthumous Final Solution is an essential and magisterial history on Hitler’s war against Europe’s Jewish population, argues Chris Bambery.
The Russian Revolution – smashing tsarist antisemitism

The revolution that smashed the tsarist state liberated Jews from centuries of oppression, writes John Westmoreland
Can we stop Trump tweeting his way to war? - weekly briefing

Trump tweets his way to nuclear confrontation with North Korea and military action in Venezuela while fascists wreak carnage in Charlottesville
Macron and Netanyahu: the shadow of Zionism

Macron’s readiness to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and endow it with the full force of French state power shows his true colours, argues Susan Ram
Resisting the erasure of the legacy of Georg Lukács

Right-wing governments can destroy statues, but to destroy the memory and the intellectual legacy of Lukács is impossible - Anita Zsurzsan reports from The Legacy of Georg Lukács: An International Conference
Hungary: huge protests in defence of academic freedom

Prime minister Orban's attack on the Central European University has inspired strong opposition
Ken Livingstone is not an antisemite

The suspension and investigation of Ken Livingstone is a witch-hunt, argues Kara Bryan
Livingstone and Labour: an attack on the left

Anti-racists should oppose the hysteria around allegations of antisemitism against Livingstone
The Trump factor: Israel, settlements and antisemitism

Trump and Netanyahu usher in a new level of US-Israel cooperation, but as far right antisemitism grows the narrative cracks argues Shabbir Lakha
Antisemitism in the UK: the facts and the weaponised fiction

The endless conflation of a world religion with a modern political movement continues unabated, notes Cameron Panting
Cable Street: organised racism and capitalist crisis

We must keep the spirit of Cable Street alive by confronting organised racism and fighting the effects of the capitalist crisis, argues Feyzi Ismail
Battle of Cable Street: the fight against fascism

As the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street approaches, Chris Bambery looks at the events that took place in 1936 Britain and the lessons we can take from them
Playing games in the face of barbarism - the rising fascism across Europe

While Owen Smith and the Labour right play political football with antisemitism, Kevin Ovenden looks at the serious rise in fascism across Europe
An assault on the whole movement

The furore over alleged antisemitism in Labour is a smear on the party’s left and an attempt to delegitimise criticism of Israel, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
'Left-wing antisemitism': anatomy of an accusation

Leo Fischer argues the best response to accusations of antisemitism is to educate, organise and emphasise the continuing human rights abuses committed in Palestine
NUS: against antisemitism and for freedom for Palestine

Defending Malia Bouattia's record as an anti-racist campaigner, Shelly Asquith argues that the NUS has the right to criticse Israeli politics
Israel bombs Gaza as anti-Semitism row rages

Kara Bryan asks how the press ignore these latest attacks while the Bitterites use charges of anti-Semitism to damage Jeremy Corbyn
Labour Party activist rails against anti-Semitism slur

A personal statement from Graham Bash, editor of Labour Briefing, on antisemitism, Labour and Jeremy Corbyn
No.10 website refuses to host petition calling for inquiry into Tory racism

The No.10 website has refused to host a petition calling for an inquiry into Tory racism. We are organising our own, reports Feyzi Ismail
The Jews, Israel and the Holocaust - key texts

The Blairites' crocodile tears are about defending empire, writes David Moyles in this introduction to The Jews, Israel and the Holocaust
One simple argument about the existence of the state of Israel

John Rees explains why a secular, democratic state across historic Palestine has nothing in common with anti-semitism
Stop this cynical attack: Corbyn, anti-semitism and the right

We repost the Jewish Socialists' Group's response to claims that Jeremy Corbyn is tolerating a growth of antisemitism in the Labour Party
This is not about offence!

Offensive jokes are a significant part of the infrastructure of prejudice argues Jeremy Messenger
Debunking the 'clash of civilisations'

We need to refute the idea that we're living through a 'Clash of Civilisations' between the West and Islam - it's dangerous bunkum argues Chris Bambery
A history of struggle: race and class in the East End

Kevin Ovenden looks at the history of race and class in London's East End and the current battle to beat back the Tory attack on Tower Hamlets
Palestine solidarity: boycotting Israel and anti-Semitism

Reuben Bard-Rosenberg: the Palestine solidarity movement must remain intolerant of anti-Semitism - but the claim that anti-Semitism is a dominant or generalised feature needs to be exposed as the falsehood that it is
Protesting against Israel's attack on Gaza: anti-Semitism?

Israeli MPs and European supporters of Israel claim that pro-Palestinian marches are rife with anti-Semitism. But is it true?

antisemitism

antisemitism

Lindsey German on the idiocy of Tory pandemic policy and Starmer’s witch-hunt on the march

In France, ‘Islamo-gauchisme’ is the watchword of a widening attack on basic freedoms, targeting anti-racists and the left writes Susan Ram

Withholding the whip from Corbyn is unjustifiable. The left must unite and fight back against Starmer's war on the left, argues Chris Nineham

If the left doesn’t get on the front foot, the attacks will only keep coming, argues Shabbir Lakha

The question isn't 'stay or leave', it's whether or not the left inside and outside the Labour party is going to fight back, argues John McInally

Lindsey German speaks at a mass online rally in defence of Jeremy Corbyn

Corbyn's anti-war principles and their popular appeal are the biggest threat to the establishment, says Chris Nineham

As the IHRA definition becomes law in Ontario, and attacks on our ability to fight for Palestine and criticise Israel intensify, the left mustn't give an inch, argues John Clarke

You can't win a war if you don't realise you're in one. Time to fight, argues Shabbir Lakha

Lindsey German on Tories, Covid and the Jeremy Corbyn open season

We need an explicitly anti-capitalist left to fight back against the centre's assault which is paving the way for an emboldened radical right, argues Kevin Ovenden

The whole of the left must unite to defend Jeremy Corbyn from this outrageous attack

The EHRC report does not uphold claims that Labour under Corbyn was institutionally antisemitic and does not justify the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, argues Chris Nineham

Lindsey German's statement ahead of the EHRC report into antisemitism in the Labour Party

McCluskey is right. Union subs should not be paying off those who helped the Tories win power, argues Chris Neville

We repost Anna Southern's article in The Left Berlin on the continued attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and the left

Starmer isn't fighting racism, he's fighting the left, writes Lucy Nichols

Labour’s decision to settle with former party officials looks like a politically motivated attack on the left, writes Alex Snowdon

Lindsey German on Labour, the left and taking on the Tories

The sacking of the shadow cabinet’s only prominent socialist is a milestone in Labour’s move to the right, argues Alex Snowdon

In a week where the Tories are covering for corruption and risking working people’s lives, Keir Starmer is attacking the left instead of the government says Penny Hicks

Starmer has signalled war on Labour's left with the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey. It is a deliberate attempt to root out Corbynism from positions of influence

Pointing out the link between US police brutality and Israel’s barbaric tactics against Palestinians is no conspiracy theory, argues Shabbir Lakha

There can no longer be any doubt, Starmer is leading a witch-hunt against the left in Labour at a time when the Tories are in maximum disarray, writes Chris Nineham

On the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Tom Griffiths finds Brownlow and Mollo's alternative vision of Nazi-led Britain in the 1940s still resonates powerfully

Nick Fitzpatrick finds glaring issues with the panel put together by the NEC and its remit to investigate #LabourLeaks

A leaked report shows how right-wing Labour officials sabotaged the party during Jeremy Corbyn’s time as leader, writes Alex Snowdon

Britain's best known socialist filmmaker has been under attack for weeks as part of the continued assault on our ability to organise for Palestinian rights, argues Sybil Cock

The setbacks in the movement for solidarity with Palestine and the failure of militant anti-racism is a catastrophe for the left, and one that must be quickly rectified, argues David Jamieson

Lindsey German on democratic socialism, witch-hunting and the fight for women’s liberation

If we are to confront the reality Israeli apartheid, false charges of antisemitism cannot go unchallenged, writes John Clarke

Never again! This requires action now, as well as reflection, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Tony Cliff was a Palestinian Jew and leading revolutionary socialist in Britain. On Holocaust Memorial Day, and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, we republish an article that he wrote in 1998.

Counterfire’s Kate O’Neil caught up with three Jewish activists campaigning for Jeremy Corbyn this week to hear what they had to say

Let’s stop apologising for having done nothing wrong, insists Lindsey German

The fight for a free Palestine will not stop until there is justice and equality for all, writes Gabriel Polley

Tory and media championing of the antisemitic Astor reveals an acute case of double standards, argues Katherine Connelly

Lindsey German on racism and witch-hunting

Lindsey German on the smearing of Jeremy Corbyn

Lindsey German on the state of the race, Swinson’s true colours, and faux antisemitism

Corbynism from Below is a wide-ranging collection of thoughtful essays on this historic opportunity for the left to transform society, finds Kevin Ovenden

Lindsey German on the persistence of the nasty party and Labour's antisemitism smears

The long history of anti-fascist mobilisation, outlined in Bray’s Antifa, underlines the importance of broad alliances for mass mobilisations, argues Richard Pratt

The IHRA definition is being used to stifle Palestine activism, exactly as activists had warned it would, report Chris Nineham and Sybil Cock

When the left steps up and organises against the attacks, it can win, as shown in Vancouver, reports John Clarke

Tom Watson has made it clear that he will stop at nothing to remove Corbyn and it's about time the left stands up to him, argues Sean Ledwith

The Labour left needs to start giving as good at it gets from its enemies or it will lose, argues Lindsey German

The BBC's Panorama on antisemitism in the Labour Party provides no real evidence and shows how cynical the smear campaign is, argues David McAllister

Apologising for an epidemic of antisemitism in Labour that isn't there and giving in to the right's demands has only accelerated the attacks, argues Lindsey German

Labour’s internal tensions are jeopardising its most socialist stewardship in modern times, argues Alex Snowdon

Canada becomes the next major player in the international drive to weaponise false allegations of antisemitism to protect Israel, writes John Clarke

The attacks on Chris Williamson are first and foremost about delegitimising the Corbyn project, writes Isabel Carr

Witch-hunt season is back with a vengeance and Corbynism must re-assert itself to stay in the game, argues Alex Snowdon

A politics based on anti-corruption obscures class and tends to benefit one side. It's not the left, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Alastair Campbell is trying to destroy Corbyn's leadership. The left cannot win by capitulating to him, argues Katherine Connelly

For Labour to beat the right, the left must stop retreating, argues John Rees

John Rees on what anti-Zionism does and does not mean

The smears against Corbyn and the left are part of a concerted effort to undermine a potential left government and must be opposed, argues Alex Snowdon

A coordinated campaign against Jeremy Corbyn is underway and the left inside and outside the Labour Party must stand against it, argues Chris Nineham

Ilhan Omar is being attacked because she's a radical anti-imperialist, black, Muslim woman on the left, and deserves unconditional solidarity argues Shabbir Lakha

Ruling class power can’t be understood as a conspiracy, argues John Rees

The campaign to destabilise Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party has accelerated. We must oppose the attacks and defend the left, argues Kara Bryan.

The French President’s conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism should be seen in the context of the Yellow Vest movement, the crisis of Macronism, and pervasive, state-facilitated Islamophobia, argues Susan Ram

The decision to suspend Chris Williamson is a capitulation to the right that only gives more ground for attacks on the left, argues Shabbir Lakha

There is no contradiction between recognising that antisemitism exists in Labour, and understanding that Corbyn is being smeared, argues Des Freedman

When the right is attacking you, going along with it is not the solution, fighting back is, argues Chris Nineham

From the antisemitism smears to the threats of splitting from the party over Brexit, the PLP are still at war with Labour's leadership, argues Alex Snowdon

Remembering the Holocaust means remembering the horrific slaughter of Jewish people, but also the resistance and solidarity, and resolving to put 'never again' into practice, writes Dana Mills

I was recently asked to debate at the Oxford Union. Here is my letter to the officers of the Oxford Union refusing to do so.

The most popular articles on Counterfire this year

The ongoing assault on the Palestinian people is intensifying, and we need to up our response, argues Mona Kamal

Dealing with inequality should be central to a radical socialist project, not something to be sidestepped, argues Cameron Panting

Conference shows strong support among Labour members for the Palestinian cause, reports Terina Hine

As Labour Party Conference commences, Sean Ledwith argues it is essential the left defends the Corbyn project against further retreats, as recent NEC decisions show us