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Watch: Andrew Neil’s beginner’s guide to anti-Semitism

A Times/YouGov poll at the weekend found that nearly eight out of ten Labour members believe that accusations of anti-Semitism within the Labour party in the last fortnight are being exaggerated to damage Jeremy Corbyn and prevent criticism of Israel.

So, it seems an opportune time to share Andrew Neil’s helpful explainer on what anti-Semitism is and where it leads, from This Week:

‘An evil demon we thought had been slain – anti-Semitism – pollutes society on both sides of the channel once more. I was told today that polls and focus groups show that many Brits, not just the young, don’t know what anti-Semitism is.

Well, gather round. Mireille Knoll was 85 in a wheelchair suffering from Parkinsons, she’d survived the holocaust. But not an attack last Friday in her Paris council flat. Stabbed eleven times and burnt to death because she was Jewish. That dear viewer is anti-Semitism at its deadliest and most depraved which is how it always ends up and which is why it can’t be tolerated. Those still in doubt need to educate themselves… fast.’

Mr S hopes that will help clear things up. Meanwhile, if readers wish to examine for themselves the size of the ‘pockets’ of anti-Semitism within the Labour party, a list of the allegations made can be found here.

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