Our Management Board member and co Chair of North West Friends of Israel, Raphi Bloom debated the question on whether anti-Zionism constitutes antisemitism.

The JRC firmly believes in open and constructive dialogue to discuss difficult issues, including the Middle East conflict and how it affects communities in the UK.

The University of Manchester deserves a huge amount of credit for looking to facilitate civil and constructive debate.  However, it seems this concept is alien to certain pro Palestinian activists who are unable to support freedom of speech and the importance of disagreeing respectfully.

These principles underpin our democracy.  They sought to interrupt and shout down Raphi on a number of occasions when he commenced his opening remarks.

Eventually, after a delay, the debate proceeded as planned and Raphi proved beyond any doubt that anti-Zionism is indeed antisemitism.