Jewish Voice for Labour

Jewish Voice for Labour
Abbreviation JVL
Formation 28 July 2017 (2017-07-28)
Region served
United Kingdom
Chair
 Jenny Manson
Secretary
 Glyn Secker
Treasurer
 Richard Kuper
Vice-Chair
 Leah Levine
Key people
 Membership Officer: Mike Cushman
Media Officer: Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi
Information Officer: Jonathan Rosenhead
Parent organization
 Labour Party
Website www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk

Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) is an organisation for Jewish members of the Labour Party. It was formed in 2017 as an alternative to the Jewish Labour Movement[1] aiming to "tackle allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party",[2] "to uphold the right of supporters of justice for Palestinians to engage in solidarity activities" and "opposing attempts to widen the definition of antisemitism beyond its meaning of hostility towards, or discrimination against, Jews as Jews."[1]

Premise and organisation

Jewish Voice for Labour describes itself as a "network for Jewish members of the Labour Party" which "stand for rights and justice for Jewish people everywhere and against wrongs and injustice to Palestinians and other oppressed people anywhere".[3] The organisation's founding statement advocated "making the Labour Party an open, democratic and inclusive party, encouraging all ethnic groups and cultures to join and participate freely", to support a commitment "to strengthen the party in its opposition to all forms of racism, including antisemitism",[4] and "does not make promoting the centrality of Israel to Jewish life a condition of membership".[5]

The organisation only admits full membership to Labour Party members who identify as Jewish.[1] All other members are associate members, without voting rights as the constitution specifies that the organisation is led by Jewish people so only Jews can vote on its policies.[6] By contrast the Jewish Labour Movement accepts full membership to both non-Jewish and non-Labour Party members.[1] JVL's media officer Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi has said the organisation's "longer term aim" could be to affiliate to Labour.[7] Although, the organisation has been endorsed by leaders of Labour-affiliated trade unions, namely Len McCluskey General Secretary of Unite the Union and Tosh McDonald president of ASLEF.[8][9][10]

In July 2017, Jenny Manson, an activist in Jews for Justice for Palestinians and a former Labour councillor, was elected chair.[1] Manson has stated that the organisation's two purposes are to "tackle allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party"[2] and "to uphold the right of supporters of justice for Palestinians to engage in solidarity activities."[4] Manson has also said the organisation is "not anti-Zionist" but stated that it was "an alternative voice for Jewish members of Labour" who do not support the Jewish Labour Movement's "profoundly Zionist orientation",[1][4][11] JVL's information officer, Jonathan Rosenhead shares the latter opinion.[8] JVL committee member, Ian Saville, clarified that "There is no ideological test to join" and it is "a group for Jews in the Labour Party that would welcome all Jews, whatever their attitude to Israel."[6] Wimborne-Idrissi has said JVL "offers an alternative to the JLM's pro-Israel agenda"[12] and "...we do not believe it has the right to speak as the Jewish Labour Movement on behalf of all Jews in the Labour party."[7]

David Rosenberg, author and member of the Jewish Socialists' Group, described JVL as "a broader, more inclusive, more open-minded group — not fixated on defending Israel..."[13] The Jewish Labour Movement has called JVL's views an "extreme fringe".[14] Stephen Pollard of The Jewish Chronicle alleges that "Many of its members are not Jewish. And of those that are, many only use their Jewish roots as a political tool to undermine the mainstream community", likening the organisation to the World Peace Council.[15] Blogger Shlomo Anker thought "the group appears to be developing into an alliance of various opinions from the Jewish community."[16] Former Court of Appeal judge Stephen Sedley stated that "...pro-Israeli groups such as the Jewish Labour Movement seeking to drive out pro-Palestinian groups like the Jewish Voice for Labour by stigmatising them..."[17][18]

JVL was reported by The Times of Israel in December 2017 to be closely linked to Free Speech on Israel (FSOI) which was founded in 2016, is non-Zionist and opposes the notion that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism.[7] However, Wimborne-Idrissi rejected this claim saying they are "two separate organizations with different aims and objectives."[7]

History

In July 2017, JVL inaugurated, and on 24 September,[19] the organisation was officially launched during the second day of the Labour Party Conference at the Brighton Centre in Brighton,[8] with a capacity crowd[7] of over 300 people in attendance,[8] and featured Professor Avi Shlaim, Sir Stephen Sedley and David Rosenberg.[13][20]

At the 2017 Labour Conference, the organisation supported Hastings and Rye Constituency Labour Party's proposal to change the Labour Party Rule Book to add a clause which makes it clear that antisemitism will not be tolerated, whilst clarifying that "hatred of Jews shall not be evidenced by non-abusive words or actions regarding Israel or zionism that are part of legitimate political discourse."[20] It opposed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Working Definition of Antisemitism being formally accepted by the Labour Party at the 2017 Conference, which it sees as "attempts to widen the definition of antisemitism beyond its meaning of hostility towards, or discrimination against, Jews as Jews".[1][5] Rosenhead sees this definition as being intentionally "vague" allowing for "the protection of Israel" via "a side door" thus "encouraging the presumption that criticism of Israel is likely to be antisemitic".[1][8] The rule change, which was supported by Corbyn, the organisation sees as an "anti-democratic restriction on political debate".[7] In May 2018, JVL with members of Free Speech on Israel produced a definition of antisemitism as: "Antisemitism is a form of racism: hatred, hostility, discrimination or prejudice against Jews because they are Jews. It may be manifested in violence; denial of rights; direct, indirect or institutional discrimination; prejudice-based behaviour; or verbal or written statements. Such manifestations draw on stereotypes – characteristics which all Jews are presumed to share."[21]

The organisation has defended former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone who was suspended from party membership for bringing the party into disrepute,[7] supported Jackie Walker,[2] deemed accusations of antisemitism against Moshé Machover as "ill founded",[22][23] and opposed and condemned the expulsion of Marc Wadsworth[24][25] as being "punished in advance of investigation and hearing of the case."[26][27]

The organisation has challenged "unjustified allegations of antisemitism" which are "used to undermine Jeremy Corbyn's leadership".[28] In March 2018, JVL organised a smaller counter-demonstration,[29] attended by around 30 people, according to The Independent,[30] at a protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party, held in Parliament Square, London. In a statement, JVL said it was "appalled" by the Board of Deputies of British Jews' letter and that "They do not represent us or the great majority of Jews in the party who share Jeremy Corbyn's vision for social justice and fairness. Jeremy's consistent commitment to anti-racism is all the more needed now."[31] Manson defended Corbyn on BBC's Daily Politics, saying he had taken "enormously strong action" to deal with the issue in his party.[32] Corbyn has said JVL are "committed to fighting anti-Semitism and making sure there is a Jewish voice in the party. We already have the Jewish Labour Movement. JVL was established last year and I think it is good that we have organisations within the party that are giving that voice to people."[33] In April, Manson on BBC Radio 4's Today programme referring to a survey conducted by Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "Evidence including very recent evidence commissioned by a Jewish body suggests the very worst antisemitism is still on the right, on the far right and always has been".[34]

In the same month, JVL issued a statement saying they "strongly condemn the Israeli army's violent response to the Land Day demonstration in Gaza, killing 15 Palestinian civilians and wounding hundreds more" and called "for an unconditional end to Israel's inhuman siege of Gaza and its brutal occupation of the West Bank which has destroyed the lives of generations of Palestinians."[35]

In July, JVL said in a statement about Labour's code of conduct that defines antisemitism which was adopted by the National Executive Committee for the purposes of disciplinary cases brought before the National Constitutional Committee that it "offers a constructive framework for moving forward in this difficult area" and it encouraged "free speech on issues to do with Israel and its treatment of the Palestinians, and with Zionism" but "much will depend on how this code of conduct is applied in practice, particularly in disciplinary cases. We are cautiously optimistic."[36] In August, the organisation called for support of the code of conduct[37] and for the NEC to resist adopting the IHRA examples of antisemitism as it fell short of providing "a clear and unambiguous statement based on attitudes to Jews as Jews, not attitudes to a country, Israel".[38] In September, the organisation contributed to the consultation on Labour's code of conduct rejecting suggestions that comparisons between Israel and "features of pre-war Nazi Germany" or apartheid-era South Africa were "inherently antisemitic", arguing that "Drawing such parallels can undoubtedly cause offence; but potent historical events and experiences are always key reference points in political debate. Such comparisons are only anti-Semitic if they show prejudice, hostility or hatred against Jews as Jews."[39] Their guidelines on antisemitism include questions of Israel and Zionism such as "Jews, Israelis and Zionists are separate categories that are too frequently conflated by both supporters and critics of Israel. This conflation can be anti-Semitic. Holding all Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is anti-Semitic. Many Jews are not Zionist."[40] The organisation also questioned whether "discussion and education, rather than a formal disciplinary approach" could be more appropriate in some cases of antisemitism.[39]

In August, JVL complained to the BBC director-general Baron Tony Hall and news and current affairs director Francesca Unsworth by criticising and demonstrating against the BBC's "lack of impartiality and inaccuracies" and "biased" coverage of Labour MP Margaret Hodge's allegations of antisemitism against Jeremy Corbyn.[41][42]

In September, at the Labour Party Conference, JVL hosted two fringe events: "Israel/Palestine: Antisemitism" and "Fighting Antisemtism, Fighting The Far Right".[43] JVL also organised and hosted a preview screening of the film The Political Lynching of Jackie Walker where 200 people were evacuated after a bomb threat.[44][45] In a statement JVL said the film "is an incisive and chilling exposé of attempts to silence critics of Israel, in particular those who support the socialist project of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. It connects the global struggle against racism and the far right with the Palestinian cause."[46]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sugarman, Daniel (25 August 2017). "New Jewish group launched in Labour". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Welch, Ben (3 April 2018). "What is JVL?". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  3. ↑ Heffer, Greg (3 April 2018). "Labour's anti-Semitism row: Who are all the different groups?". Sky News. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Manson, Jenny; Levy, Raphael (28 September 2017). "Jewish Voice for Labour is not an anti-Zionist group". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 "New organisation founded for Jewish Labour Party members". Jewish Voice for Labour. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  6. 1 2 Saville, Ian (25 April 2018). "There are a lot of myths about Jewish Voice for Labour. Here's the truth". Labour List. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Philpot, Robert (15 December 2017). "UK's new Jewish Voice for Labour seeks to throw off the 'shackles' of Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Rosenhead, Jonathan (11 October 2017). "A new Jewish voice for Labour". openDemocracy. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Labour extends democracy". Morning Star. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  10. ↑ Maguire, Patrick (28 September 2017). "Anger as Labour leader stays silent on antisemitism". The Times. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Doherty, Rosa (19 June 2018). "Meet Jeremy Corbyn's devoted Jewish defender: Jenny Manson". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  12. ↑ Wimborne-Idrissi, Naomi; Gribble, Lynette (18 September 2017). "Labour conundrum on rules to combat antisemitism". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  13. 1 2 Rosenberg, David (29 September 2017). "How can we rebuild open-minded debate within the Jewish community today?". Morning Star. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  14. ↑ Harpin, Lee (27 June 2018). "Largest constituency Labour party to debate affiliating with Jewish Voice For Labour". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  15. ↑ Pollard, Stephen (17 April 2018). "Corbyn's 'round table' on antisemitism is an attempt to divide and rule". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  16. ↑ Anker, Shlomo (18 October 2017). "The launch of Jewish Voice for Labour". The Clarion. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  17. ↑ Sedley, Stephen (10 May 2018). "Short Cuts". 40 (9). London Review of Books. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  18. ↑ Gulliver, John (10 May 2018). "Labour and anti-Semitism: a view from the bench". Camden: Camden New Journal. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  19. ↑ Manson, Jenny (6 October 2017). "Head of new Jewish Labour party: We should be focusing on Islamophobia, not punishing Ken Livingstone". Talkradio. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  20. 1 2 Finlay, Joseph (25 September 2018). "We stand for the rights of all oppressed people". Morning Star. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  21. ↑ "Jewish Voice for Labour offer new anti-Semitism definition". Jewish News. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  22. ↑ Harpin, Lee (9 October 2017). "Israeli-born anti-Zionist expelled from Labour Party". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  23. ↑ Harpin, Lee (31 October 2017). "Expelled anti-Zionist Moshe Machover readmitted to Labour Party". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  24. ↑ Rogers, Sienna (27 April 2018). "Marc Wadsworth expelled from the Labour Party". Labour List. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "Labour Party chiefs spark backlash over Wadsworth expulsion". The Voice. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  26. ↑ "Labour and anti-Semitism: a view from the bench". Labour Briefing. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  27. ↑ Sagir, Ceren (28 April 2018). "Anti-racist campaigner's expulsion is 'a new low' for the party, Jewish activists say". Morning Star. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  28. ↑ Daisley, Stephen (16 October 2017). "The British Labour Party's 'Kosher Stamp' for Anti-Semitism". The Tablet. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  29. ↑ Neilan, Catherine (26 March 2018). "Corbyn supporters organise an anti-anti-Semitism rally". City A.M. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  30. ↑ Cowburn, Ashley (26 March 2018). "Hundreds of people protest outside Parliament against antisemitism in the Labour Party". The Independent. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  31. ↑ "Corbyn apologises for 'hurt' caused by anti-Semitism in Labour". BBC News. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  32. ↑ "Daily Politics guests debate whether Jeremy Corbyn has tackled anti-Semitism". BBC News. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  33. ↑ "Corbyn calls Jewish Voice for Labour "good people"". The Jewish Chronicle. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  34. ↑ Harpin, Lee (24 April 2018). "Antisemitism is worse on the right says chair of Jewish Voice for Labour group". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  35. ↑ "Call for an end to the siege of Gaza". The Guardian. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  36. ↑ Winstanley, Asa (7 July 2018). "Calling Israel racist isn't anti-Semitic, rules UK Labour". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  37. ↑ Tobin, Sam (19 August 2018). "Chris Williamson calls for Labour supporters to #backthecode in Twitterstorm". Morning Star. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  38. ↑ "Labour's ruling body holds crunch anti-Semitism talks". BBC News. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  39. 1 2 "Expelled activist tells JVL meeting that 'witchhunt' is plot to 'topple' Corbyn". Jewish News. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  40. ↑ Gill, Joe (1 October 2018). "Labour bomb threat: When pro-Palestine Jews are targeted, the media is silent". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  41. ↑ Sabin, Lamiat (7 August 2018). "BBC cornered over 'biased' coverage of anti-semitism row". Morning Star. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  42. ↑ Blakelock, Pamela (7 August 2018). "Letter to the BBC about biased and inaccurate reporting of anti-semitism allegations towards Jeremy Corbyn". Morning Star. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  43. ↑ Chaplain, Chloe (21 September 2018). "Labour party conference highlights: The essential details of the event in Liverpool". iNews. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  44. ↑ Thomas, Joe; Kirkham, Jenny (25 September 2018). "Labour party conference highlights: The essential details of the event in Liverpool". Liverpool: Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  45. ↑ Rawlinson, Kevin (25 September 2018). "Jewish event at Labour conference abandoned after bomb scare". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  46. ↑ "Jewish Voice for Labour film screening evacuated after bomb threat". Morning Star. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
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