But I can’t accept that apology.

My issue is that you have read washed up comedian Baddiel’s interpretation of antisemitism - one that has been actual Israeli policy to push for some years now - and appear to believe it to be both accurate and concrete. Yes, I can actually see why you would label my comment as ‘unconscious racism’, because in Baddiel’s (and Israel’s) antisemitism parameters it would fit the bill. [To clarify, I’m not suggesting Baddiel works for Israel, just that he has adopted the idea of the new antisemitism discussed below].

I’ve no idea if Baddiel mentions it but this interpretation is referred to as ‘new antisemitism’. And as much as the BoD, JLM, CAA, CST, etc, etc would like it, this is far from a settled, agreed interpretation. The continuing IHRA dramas are evidence of this fact.

Brian Klug - someone who could easily be described as an antisemitism expert - wrote about the new antisemitism back in 2004 and it’s pretty prescient for the UK right now:

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/myth-new-anti-semitism/

The line that Klug talks about where anti-Zionism becomes antisemitism is pretty difficult to ascertain. What it usually seems to boil down to is a subjective opinion. I could say that Israel is a brutal apartheid state that employs a self-admitted policy of blurring this line as much as possible in order to silence its critics, and Baddiel may claim I’m antisemitic. I could also say that this same Israel employs a powerful lobby in the UK and is linked to parliamentary parties and various Jewish civil and charitable UK groups, and Baddiel may claim I’m antisemitic. Actually, all of that is factual. It’s perhaps the next step though where critics really approach the line: linking the Israel lobby with actions taken by parliamentary parties/individuals and civil/charitable Jewish organizations. This is where Bristol university professor, David Miller, is at the moment. Miller’s expertise is in tracking power networks and a few years ago he turned his attention to Israel’s UK lobby. Ever since he has been hounded and attacked, and right now there is mounting pressure on the uni to sack him. There are facts there involving funding and close relationships with the Israeli embassy and intelligence services but it really is an area where only the brave publicly step. Going there invites an onslaught and also the danger of actually drifting into genuine antisemitism.

This is why I posted my reply to your original Baddiel comment. I’m not trying to justify myself and I’m certainly not excusing myself - I stand by it and would post it again without hesitation - however, in the spirit of contrition, this is what informs my comment.