Jak Codd censorship: anti-semitic? You decide.

Leeds Student produce a newspaper based at Leeds University Union (LUU).  Issue 17 had a quote about from Sameh Habeeb about Jewish influence on the media and the LUU communication officer Jak Codd recalled the entire issue as he claimed the quote "There certainly are pro-Israel.  I think you have to ask yourself who controls the media" is anti-semitic. This is not the first time LUU has acted in this.  A motion of no confidence has been started as recalling a newspaper unilaterally has been referred to as a "massive abuse of his power".

The article in question was a quote from Sameh Habeeb whom Jak claims that is "a vile individual" because he was editor of the Palestinian Telegraph when it had an article written in it by Gilad Atzmon, who has claimed the real holocaust is being carried out by the Israel army.  He uses the justification that there is "intimidation of Jewish students on campus" and the quote was "outright racism".  Journalists that used to work at Leeds Student have come out against the censorship and the NUJ is now involved.  The union has put money into the newspaper which appears to mean that when there is something that Jak is offend by he can personally recall the entire edition.

The exec has strong links with Leeds Jewish society and there are many old members on the exec. Having many people of faith on the exec is a good thing but there is a danger that they can recreate existing inter-faith tensions in LUU. Many of the student council meetings spend hours debating if LUU is going to support Israel against Palestine or vis-versa.  The Palestine Solidarity group was banned from holding events recently when there was a scuffle at one of their demonstrations.  Legitimate protest should be defended at university.  The Jewish Society has often tried to shut down debate by trying to repeal the motion "To ensure that all political societies are practising their freedom of speech without fear of being silence for the sake of other parties" and also tried to introduce a motion which appeared to equate criticism of Israel with being anti-semitic.  Issues of faith are treacherous but unless arguments are inciting violence or intimidation (EDL) or lying about the past to further you own ends (Holocaust denial) then people should be able to express themselves.

There are elements of the US media which are very anti-Palestine such as Fox News.  Closing down or censoring things that some people find offensive leads to things such as the McLibel case and gives rich individuals and large companies power to stop any negative press.  There are cases in the UK courts now where Simon Singh is being sued for criticising acupuncturists.  There are anti-semitic groups such as Iran's holocaust deniers that spread racial hatred and by playing the anti-semitic card to any mention of Jewish influence weakens the argument against holocaust deniers and makes people less likely to believe in real anti-semitism.