Labour Members ask Watson why he has no criticism of Israel’s racist Occupation of Palestine
Accompanying Letter
Dear Mr Watson
I attach a letter signed by 88 members/supporters of the Labour Party, Jewish and non-Jewish, in respect of your speech to Labour Friends of Israel last month.
Not once in your speech did you utter any criticism or condemnation of Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the daily killing of unarmed Palestinian civilians, the horrific levels of racism in Israel itself towards its own Palestinian citizens, the routine use of torture, the abuse and imprisonment of Palestinian children or the Apartheid situation that pertains in the Occupied Territories themselves.
The fact that you campaigned so vociferously against the abuse of British children yet you have nothing to say about the imprisonment and shackling of Palestinian children, the use of violence and torture against them speaks volumes about your racist outlook.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Greenstein
House of Commons
London SW1 1AA
London SW1 1AA
Dear Tom Watson,
We write as
both Jewish and non-Jewish members/supporters of the Labour Party.
both Jewish and non-Jewish members/supporters of the Labour Party.
We read with
interest your speech
to guests at the Labour Friends of Israel luncheon recently and watched the video
of you singing ‘Am Yisrael Chai’.
Perhaps you are not aware that this is the favourite chant of West Bank
settlers and the fascist/neo-Nazi Jewish Defence League when attacking
Palestinians and those they disagree with?
interest your speech
to guests at the Labour Friends of Israel luncheon recently and watched the video
of you singing ‘Am Yisrael Chai’.
Perhaps you are not aware that this is the favourite chant of West Bank
settlers and the fascist/neo-Nazi Jewish Defence League when attacking
Palestinians and those they disagree with?
You began
your speech by saying that you supported Israel because ‘our consciences dictate it’. If
you had a conscience you would not have spoken of your ‘special pleasure’ at the presence of Mark Regev, Israel’s
Ambassador who, as-Chief Spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu, defended Operation
Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014 when 2,251 Palestinians were
killed, including 551 children.
your speech by saying that you supported Israel because ‘our consciences dictate it’. If
you had a conscience you would not have spoken of your ‘special pleasure’ at the presence of Mark Regev, Israel’s
Ambassador who, as-Chief Spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu, defended Operation
Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014 when 2,251 Palestinians were
killed, including 551 children.
You said that
you were ‘ashamed’ at the ‘anti-Semitism in our midst’. Let us reassure you that although you have much
to be ashamed of, anti-Semitism is not one of Labour’s sins. Anti-Semitism does not exist as a political
force in the Labour Party. It never has
and never will. Those who have been
suspended for ‘anti-Semitism’, in particular Ken Livingstone, Jackie Walker, and
Tony Greenstein, have been suspended for supporting the Palestinians, not
because of anti-Semitism. It is no
coincidence that both the latter two are Jewish anti-Zionists.
you were ‘ashamed’ at the ‘anti-Semitism in our midst’. Let us reassure you that although you have much
to be ashamed of, anti-Semitism is not one of Labour’s sins. Anti-Semitism does not exist as a political
force in the Labour Party. It never has
and never will. Those who have been
suspended for ‘anti-Semitism’, in particular Ken Livingstone, Jackie Walker, and
Tony Greenstein, have been suspended for supporting the Palestinians, not
because of anti-Semitism. It is no
coincidence that both the latter two are Jewish anti-Zionists.
You mentioned
your recent, expenses paid trip to Israel recently, where you met the Chairman
of the Israeli Labour Party Isaac Herzog. You spoke of his ‘determination to continue to push the path
of peace’. Is this the same Herzog
who, Ha’aretz
reports, pushed for ‘Separation From
Palestinians as (the) Party Platform’?
In other words an apartheid solution with a Palestinian Bantustan?
your recent, expenses paid trip to Israel recently, where you met the Chairman
of the Israeli Labour Party Isaac Herzog. You spoke of his ‘determination to continue to push the path
of peace’. Is this the same Herzog
who, Ha’aretz
reports, pushed for ‘Separation From
Palestinians as (the) Party Platform’?
In other words an apartheid solution with a Palestinian Bantustan?
We find it
difficult to understand, in view of your purported opposition to anti-Jewish
racism, why you turn a blind eye to Herzog’s virulent anti-Arab racism? Herzog recently spoke of
his fear of waking up to a Palestinian Prime Minister in
Israel. He said:
difficult to understand, in view of your purported opposition to anti-Jewish
racism, why you turn a blind eye to Herzog’s virulent anti-Arab racism? Herzog recently spoke of
his fear of waking up to a Palestinian Prime Minister in
Israel. He said:
‘I want to separate from the Palestinians. I want
to keep a Jewish state with a Jewish majority. I don’t want 61 Palestinian MKs in Israel’s Knesset. I don’t want a
Palestinian prime minister in Israel.’
to keep a Jewish state with a Jewish majority. I don’t want 61 Palestinian MKs in Israel’s Knesset. I don’t want a
Palestinian prime minister in Israel.’
The Jerusalem Post reported how Herzog had spoken about
dispelling the false impression that the ILP were ‘Arab Lovers’
dispelling the false impression that the ILP were ‘Arab Lovers’
If a member of our Labour Party had spoken about their
nightmare of a Jewish Prime Minister or had talked about ‘Jew lovers’ then you
would certainly have had cause to complain of anti-Semitism.
nightmare of a Jewish Prime Minister or had talked about ‘Jew lovers’ then you
would certainly have had cause to complain of anti-Semitism.
You quoted Yehuda Bauer: “thou shalt not be a
bystander.”
Unfortunately you then went on to demonstrate just how lightly the
lessons of the Holocaust weigh upon your conscience. You stated that Israel was ‘A
vibrant democracy… a state which strives for equality between … Jew and Arab.’
bystander.”
Unfortunately you then went on to demonstrate just how lightly the
lessons of the Holocaust weigh upon your conscience. You stated that Israel was ‘A
vibrant democracy… a state which strives for equality between … Jew and Arab.’
Perhaps
you would care to explain how this is compatible with the pending demolition of
Umm al-Hiran, a Bedouin village in the Negev, in order to make way for a Jewish
town? Or why half the Arab villages in Israel are ‘unrecognised’ and therefore
liable to demolition at a moment’s notice?
you would care to explain how this is compatible with the pending demolition of
Umm al-Hiran, a Bedouin village in the Negev, in order to make way for a Jewish
town? Or why half the Arab villages in Israel are ‘unrecognised’ and therefore
liable to demolition at a moment’s notice?
According to Defence for
Children International between 500 and 700 Palestinian children a year, as
young as 12, are arrested, interrogated and beaten without any right to see a parent
or lawyer. Held indefinitely, they are
deprived of sleep, shackled and charged in a language they don’t understand.
Children International between 500 and 700 Palestinian children a year, as
young as 12, are arrested, interrogated and beaten without any right to see a parent
or lawyer. Held indefinitely, they are
deprived of sleep, shackled and charged in a language they don’t understand.
Because there
are two separate legal systems on the West Bank, this cannot happen to Jewish
children. Perhaps you could explain how
this is compatible with a ‘vibrant
democracy’ and why this is not an apartheid society?
are two separate legal systems on the West Bank, this cannot happen to Jewish
children. Perhaps you could explain how
this is compatible with a ‘vibrant
democracy’ and why this is not an apartheid society?
Israel is a
Jewish state, i.e. a state in which Jews have privileges over and above
non-Jews. This manifests itself on
Jerusalem Day in mobs chanting ‘Death to the Arabs’ as they march through the
Arab quarter. Fascist groups like
Lehava, which campaign against sexual relations between Arabs and Jews are state-funded. Today in Jerusalem, without interference from
the police, gangs of Jewish fascists go around attacking
Arabs under the pretext of ‘protecting’ Jewish women.
Jewish state, i.e. a state in which Jews have privileges over and above
non-Jews. This manifests itself on
Jerusalem Day in mobs chanting ‘Death to the Arabs’ as they march through the
Arab quarter. Fascist groups like
Lehava, which campaign against sexual relations between Arabs and Jews are state-funded. Today in Jerusalem, without interference from
the police, gangs of Jewish fascists go around attacking
Arabs under the pretext of ‘protecting’ Jewish women.
Because
Israel is a Jewish state opposition to African asylum seekers has taken the
form of pogroms and lynchings. According
to Netanyahu, illegal
African immigrants threaten identity of Jewish state. In the words
of Culture Minister Miri Regev “the Sudanese are a cancer in our body.” Later she apologised to cancer victims for
having compared them to asylum seekers! Your
good friend Herzog has been part of this racist consensus, attacking
Eritrean refugees as bogus asylum seekers.
Israel is a Jewish state opposition to African asylum seekers has taken the
form of pogroms and lynchings. According
to Netanyahu, illegal
African immigrants threaten identity of Jewish state. In the words
of Culture Minister Miri Regev “the Sudanese are a cancer in our body.” Later she apologised to cancer victims for
having compared them to asylum seekers! Your
good friend Herzog has been part of this racist consensus, attacking
Eritrean refugees as bogus asylum seekers.
Apologists
for Zionism always refer to Israel’s Arabs having the vote. This is of course true but Israel is a state
of its Jewish citizens and democracy doesn’t simply mean having a vote every few
years but civic and political equality regardless of ethnicity or
religion. When you are treated as an alien
in your own country that is not democracy but ethnocracy. A state where torture is legal, censorship is
routine and detention without trial for one ethnic group is routine (Arabs) is
not a democracy.
for Zionism always refer to Israel’s Arabs having the vote. This is of course true but Israel is a state
of its Jewish citizens and democracy doesn’t simply mean having a vote every few
years but civic and political equality regardless of ethnicity or
religion. When you are treated as an alien
in your own country that is not democracy but ethnocracy. A state where torture is legal, censorship is
routine and detention without trial for one ethnic group is routine (Arabs) is
not a democracy.
It is therefore
no surprise that in Israel’s ‘vibrant
democracy’ a plurality of Jewish Israelis (48%-46%) [Pew Research Centre Survey,
Israel’s
Religiously Divided Society], favour the physical expulsion of Israel’s
Arabs and no less than 79% believe that Jews are entitled to preferential
treatment.
no surprise that in Israel’s ‘vibrant
democracy’ a plurality of Jewish Israelis (48%-46%) [Pew Research Centre Survey,
Israel’s
Religiously Divided Society], favour the physical expulsion of Israel’s
Arabs and no less than 79% believe that Jews are entitled to preferential
treatment.
You refer to
your and LFI’s support for 2 States. After
50 years of occupation and settlement, a Palestinian state is not possible. 2 states is a smokescreen for the continued
military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and a pretext for Israeli
Apartheid. At no time have either you or
LFI ever called for an end to the military occupation of Palestinian
territories.
your and LFI’s support for 2 States. After
50 years of occupation and settlement, a Palestinian state is not possible. 2 states is a smokescreen for the continued
military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and a pretext for Israeli
Apartheid. At no time have either you or
LFI ever called for an end to the military occupation of Palestinian
territories.
You
condemn Boycott Divestment and Sanctions but the Boycott of repressive and
racist regimes has a long pedigree. From
the Boycott of slave grown sugar in the West Indies to the Boycott of Nazi
Germany (which the Zionist movement broke) to the Boycott of South African
Apartheid, BDS has always been the most moral of movements. Just as Thatcher and Reagan opposed the
Boycott of Apartheid South Africa yesterday, so you and LFI oppose the Boycott
of Zionist Apartheid today.
condemn Boycott Divestment and Sanctions but the Boycott of repressive and
racist regimes has a long pedigree. From
the Boycott of slave grown sugar in the West Indies to the Boycott of Nazi
Germany (which the Zionist movement broke) to the Boycott of South African
Apartheid, BDS has always been the most moral of movements. Just as Thatcher and Reagan opposed the
Boycott of Apartheid South Africa yesterday, so you and LFI oppose the Boycott
of Zionist Apartheid today.
Perhaps
you have forgotten that it was Israeli Labour governments who supplied weapons
to South Africa in breach of the UN Arms Embargo? That it was an Israeli Labour government
which invited John Vorster, the South Africa Premier, who had been interned
during the war for Nazi sympathies, on a state visit to Israel? [Brothers in arms – Israel’s
secret pact with Pretoria]
you have forgotten that it was Israeli Labour governments who supplied weapons
to South Africa in breach of the UN Arms Embargo? That it was an Israeli Labour government
which invited John Vorster, the South Africa Premier, who had been interned
during the war for Nazi sympathies, on a state visit to Israel? [Brothers in arms – Israel’s
secret pact with Pretoria]
If you
were at all sincere in your support for a Palestinian state, then you would support
pressure upon Israel via a Boycott. The
fact that you, the Israeli Ambassador and Labour Friends of Israel, an
uncritical Israeli support group, oppose Boycott demonstrates your insincerity
and hypocrisy.
were at all sincere in your support for a Palestinian state, then you would support
pressure upon Israel via a Boycott. The
fact that you, the Israeli Ambassador and Labour Friends of Israel, an
uncritical Israeli support group, oppose Boycott demonstrates your insincerity
and hypocrisy.
You
said ‘Let’s have
no more parallels drawn between today’s tragic conflict in Israel-Palestine and
the bloodlands of central and Eastern Europe.’
You appear to forget that it is the advocates of Zionism who make such
comparisons. From Menachem Begin
equating Yassir Arafat in the siege of Beirut to Hitler in his bunker to
Netanyahu’s comparison of Iran
with Nazi Germany orDeputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai promising the Palestinians
of Gaza a ‘bigger Shoah’
said ‘Let’s have
no more parallels drawn between today’s tragic conflict in Israel-Palestine and
the bloodlands of central and Eastern Europe.’
You appear to forget that it is the advocates of Zionism who make such
comparisons. From Menachem Begin
equating Yassir Arafat in the siege of Beirut to Hitler in his bunker to
Netanyahu’s comparison of Iran
with Nazi Germany orDeputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai promising the Palestinians
of Gaza a ‘bigger Shoah’
Zionism has
always equated the Palestinians with the Nazis.
When the Israeli Right marches to the drumbeat of ‘Death to the Arabs’
it is difficult not to recall similar marches in Europe when the chant was
‘Death to the Jews’.
always equated the Palestinians with the Nazis.
When the Israeli Right marches to the drumbeat of ‘Death to the Arabs’
it is difficult not to recall similar marches in Europe when the chant was
‘Death to the Jews’.
Despite your
attempts to equate anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism it is clear from what is happening
in the United States that anti-Semites are the most fervent supporters of
Israel. Donald Trump, whom Herzog has welcomed to power,
has appointed open anti-Semites like Steve Bannon of the alt-Right as his
advisors. This does not appear to
trouble you or Labour Friends of Israel for some reason.
attempts to equate anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism it is clear from what is happening
in the United States that anti-Semites are the most fervent supporters of
Israel. Donald Trump, whom Herzog has welcomed to power,
has appointed open anti-Semites like Steve Bannon of the alt-Right as his
advisors. This does not appear to
trouble you or Labour Friends of Israel for some reason.
When you say
that ‘The BDS movement is morally wrong’ you betray you real
concern is to support the US’s watchdog in the region. BDS is an entirely moral response to
Israel’s immoral Occupation.
that ‘The BDS movement is morally wrong’ you betray you real
concern is to support the US’s watchdog in the region. BDS is an entirely moral response to
Israel’s immoral Occupation.
Yours
sincerely,
sincerely,
Tony
Greenstein Brighton & Hove DLP
Greenstein Brighton & Hove DLP
Barry Ackerman Enfield &
Southgate CLP
Southgate CLP
Mo Akram Newcastle East
CLP
CLP
Jackie Alsaid Fareham CLP
Mo Aziz Dulwich
and West Norwood CLP
and West Norwood CLP
Claude Baesens Warwick and Leamington
Spa CLP
Spa CLP
Graham Bash South Thanet CLP
Labina Basit Uxbridge and
South Ruislip CLP
South Ruislip CLP
Mary Beaman Wimbeldon CLP
Lisa Bell Forest of
Dean CLP
Dean CLP
Karent Bett Eastwood CLP
Tas Bhatti Nottingham
CLP
Tas Bhatti Nottingham
CLP
Simon Brace Gedling CLP
Haim Bresheeth Hornsey and Wood
Green
Green
Karen Brett New Forest East
CLP
CLP
Tarin Brokenshire
Cambridge CLP
Cambridge CLP
Neil Cameron Sheffield Central CLP, Unite and
Sheffield Momentum
Sheffield Momentum
Marilu Cavaliere Luton South CLP
Trevor Challenger
Taunton Deane CLP
Taunton Deane CLP
Carl Clarke Richmond
CLP/Unite
CLP/Unite
Mike Craig Mid-Ulster
Branch Northern Ireland
Branch Northern Ireland
John Davies Liverpool
Riverside TULO/Liverpool Momentum
Riverside TULO/Liverpool Momentum
Helen Dickson Liverpool Riverside
CLP
CLP
Ajay Domun Pimlico CLP/Westminster
Momentum
Momentum
Clare N. Ayton-Edwards Kenilworth & Southam
Mark Elf Barking
CLP
Mark Elf Barking
CLP
James Ellis Brighton &
Hove DLP/Secretary B&H Momentum/Unite/Unison
Hove DLP/Secretary B&H Momentum/Unite/Unison
Yousuf Farooq Rushcliffe CLP
Pete Firmin Hampstead
& Kilburn CLP
& Kilburn CLP
Jenny Flintoft Meon Valley CLP
Michael Foulkes Brighton & Hove
DLP
DLP
Philip Foxe Enfield South
gate CLP/Enfield Momentum
gate CLP/Enfield Momentum
Kathlyn Gadd Stoke North CLP
Terry Gallogly York CLP
Yvonne Gibbins Grantham and Stafford
CLP
CLP
Lynda Gilbert Milton Keynes
North CLP
North CLP
Stephanie Grant Basingstoke CLP
Sue Grant Exeter CLP
James Hall South
Cambridgeshire CLP
Cambridgeshire CLP
Jenny Hardacre South Cambs CLP
Abe Hayeem- Harrow East CLP
Rosamine Hayeem- Harrow East CLP
Rosemary Hedges Calder Valley CLP
Deana Heywood Ealing and Central Acton
CLP
CLP
Dave Hill Brighton
and Hove Momentum
and Hove Momentum
Carl Hodgson Delyn CLP
Doug Holton Hackney North and
Stoke Newington CLP
Stoke Newington CLP
Ian Hunter Gaston and
Halewood CLP
Halewood CLP
Zaed Hussein Hyndburn CLP
Cliff Jones Sefton Central
CLP
CLP
Markus Keany Luton South CLP
Martin Kemp Lewisham West and
Penge CLP
Penge CLP
Fee Khan Brandwood
CLP
CLP
Chris Knight Streatham CLP
Beverley Krell Stockport CLP
Beverley Krell Stockport CLP
Geoff Lee Holborn and
St Pancras CLP
St Pancras CLP
Leah Levane Hastings and Rye
CLP
CLP
Rachel Lever Hastings &
Rye CLP
Rye CLP
Debbie Litchfield
Don Valley CLP
Don Valley CLP
Jo Manning Leeds NE CLP
Patrick Mansfield
Bristol South CLP
Bristol South CLP
Miriam Margolyes Clapham CLP
Helen Marks Riverside CLP
Becky Massey Hove and Portslade
CLP
CLP
Suzanne McCallum Dumbarton CLP
Faye McCardle North Herefordshire
CLP
CLP
Jane Mills Brecon and
Radnorshire CLP
Radnorshire CLP
Anne Mitchell Hove and Portslade
CLP
Brendan Morgan County Down CLP
Elizabeth Morley Ceredigion CLP/Member
of Wales Grassroots/Momentum
CLP
Brendan Morgan County Down CLP
Elizabeth Morley Ceredigion CLP/Member
of Wales Grassroots/Momentum
Kevin Neil Plymouth
Sutton and Devonport CLP, Momentum National Committee
Sutton and Devonport CLP, Momentum National Committee
Tony O’Neill Northern Ireland
Labour Party
Labour Party
Caroline O’Reilly Brighton & Hove DLP
Pam Page Brighton and
Hove DLP
Hove DLP
Susan Pashkoff Unite/Redbridge
Trades Council
Trades Council
Allan Pearson South Ribble CLP
Jonathan Pullman Edinburgh North and
Leith CLP
Leith CLP
Mike Rahr Camberwell CLP
Roland Rance Unite; former
secretary Waltham Forest Trades Council
secretary Waltham Forest Trades Council
Elaine Rigby Bury South CLP
Leon Rosselson Brent Momentum
Ali Samhan Penarth CLP
Matt Scott Islington
South CLP
South CLP
Mark Sedgway Ilford North CLP
David Selzer Chester CLP
Ali Sendall Birkenhead CLP
Sam Semoff Riverside CLP
Reverend Dr
Philip Stephens Swansea West CLP
Philip Stephens Swansea West CLP
Stephanie Sykes Woking CLP
Pauline Thomas Momentum South
Birmingham
Birmingham
Andrew Todd Hexham CLP
John Tymon; Hampstead &
Kilburn CLP
Kilburn CLP
Jackie Walker Thanet CLP
Adam Waterhouse Southampton and Ramsey
Labour Party
Labour Party
Stewart Whitehead Arundel and South
Downs CLP
Downs CLP
Nola Wolley North Somerset
CLP
CLP
Posted in Blog
