Jackie Walker – An Anti-racist Fallen Among Thieves
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| Picket by Jewish anti-Zionist groups of Momentum meeting at TSSA HQ |
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| Momentum statement following meeting last night |
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| John McDonnell speaking on the same platform as Jackie Walker in Brighton last month – for which the JLM criticised him |
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| Jeremy Newmark – Chair of Zionist Labour Movement formerly CEO of Jewish Leadership Council – an organisation of big Jewish business leaders |
At a three hour
meeting tonight at the headquarters of the TSSA, Jackie Walker – a Black/Jewish
anti-racist, was removed as Vice Chair of Momentum despite the overwhelming
support she has received from the rank and file of Momentum. The vote was 7-3.
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| The actions of Lansman and the Alliance for Workers Liberty have directly aided Crooked Iain McNicol and the Labour Party Witch hunters and Compliance Unit |
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| This tweet is one of many attempts to whip up a racist atmosphere against Jackie Walker by the JLM |
The 8 elected members of
the Steering Committee are Jon Lansman, as Chair, Jackie
Walker, who was not present, Michael Chessum, Treasurer, Christine Shawcroft, Marshajane
Thompson, Jill Mountford, Sam Wheeler, Cecile Wright. In addition there is also Matt Wrack of the
FBU and Sam Tarry of TSSA.
the Steering Committee are Jon Lansman, as Chair, Jackie
Walker, who was not present, Michael Chessum, Treasurer, Christine Shawcroft, Marshajane
Thompson, Jill Mountford, Sam Wheeler, Cecile Wright. In addition there is also Matt Wrack of the
FBU and Sam Tarry of TSSA.
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| Jewish picket of Momentum meeting at TSSA HQ |
Those voting for removing Jackie included
Lansman, the 2 Alliance for Worker’s
Liberty members, Chessum and Mountford and it is believed
2 other AWL ‘sleepers’ on the committee, Christine Shawcroft, who is a member of the other Labour Briefing which
split acrimoniously some years ago and Sam Tarry. Matt Wrack is known to have voted to support
Jackie.
Lansman, the 2 Alliance for Worker’s
Liberty members, Chessum and Mountford and it is believed
2 other AWL ‘sleepers’ on the committee, Christine Shawcroft, who is a member of the other Labour Briefing which
split acrimoniously some years ago and Sam Tarry. Matt Wrack is known to have voted to support
Jackie.
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| We are joined by a UCU picket! |
Lansman, who
personally ‘owns’ Momentum as its sole Director, used the 4 votes of the AWL members present to pass
the resolution witch-hunting Jackie Walker.
The irony of those on the receiving end of the witch hunt, for it was
only a few weeks ago that Owen Smith condemned the ‘anti-Semites’ of the AWL
entryists, voting to engage in a witch hunter of their own is a combination of deviant
political psychology and naked sectarianism.
personally ‘owns’ Momentum as its sole Director, used the 4 votes of the AWL members present to pass
the resolution witch-hunting Jackie Walker.
The irony of those on the receiving end of the witch hunt, for it was
only a few weeks ago that Owen Smith condemned the ‘anti-Semites’ of the AWL
entryists, voting to engage in a witch hunter of their own is a combination of deviant
political psychology and naked sectarianism.
In a statement issued
afterwards it was confirmed that Jackie Walker remains a member of the Steering
Committee. It is a statement full of
weasel words. It accepts that nothing
Jackie said ‘taken individually’ was anti-Semitic
(though leaving open the interpretation that they might be taken as a
whole. But they were nonetheless ‘ill informed, ill judged and offensive’.
afterwards it was confirmed that Jackie Walker remains a member of the Steering
Committee. It is a statement full of
weasel words. It accepts that nothing
Jackie said ‘taken individually’ was anti-Semitic
(though leaving open the interpretation that they might be taken as a
whole. But they were nonetheless ‘ill informed, ill judged and offensive’.
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| Representatives from Jewish anti-Zionist groups |
These are of course
subjective adjectives and in this case they are best applied to the statement
itself. What Jackie said about Holocaust
Memorial Day not including all other holocausts, in particular those affecting
Africans, is simply true.
subjective adjectives and in this case they are best applied to the statement
itself. What Jackie said about Holocaust
Memorial Day not including all other holocausts, in particular those affecting
Africans, is simply true.
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| A lively picket as Lansman and SC members largely slunk in through a side door |
As 16 Jewish members
of the Labour Party wrote, in a letter
to Jon Lansman no less than Yehuda Bauer, Professor
of Holocaust Studies at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem (albeit an extremely mediocre
historian) argued, in a debate with the late Dr Sybil Milton, Senior Historian
at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum that ‘the
Nazis only attempted to annihilate one people, the Jews: Roma were not Jews,
therefore there was no need to murder all of them.’ According to Bauer, ‘the
Holocaust is very much a unique case.’ [“Gypsies and the Holocaust” Yehuda Bauer; Sybil
Milton The History Teacher, Vol. 25, (Aug., 1992)]. This is an article of
faith for Zionism. To Zionists the Holocaust was a Jewish only affair from
which the Gypsies and Disabled are excluded.
The late Elie Wiesel said that to compare the sufferings of others with
Jews was a “betrayal of Jewish history”. [Against Silence, v. iii, 146.] Lucy
Dawidowicz, a well known holocaust historian and right-wing Zionist, held that ‘subsuming Jewish losses under
a universal or ecumenical classification is to effectively justify
anti-Semitism.’ The truth may be
uncomfortable but it is not anti-Semitic.
of the Labour Party wrote, in a letter
to Jon Lansman no less than Yehuda Bauer, Professor
of Holocaust Studies at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem (albeit an extremely mediocre
historian) argued, in a debate with the late Dr Sybil Milton, Senior Historian
at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum that ‘the
Nazis only attempted to annihilate one people, the Jews: Roma were not Jews,
therefore there was no need to murder all of them.’ According to Bauer, ‘the
Holocaust is very much a unique case.’ [“Gypsies and the Holocaust” Yehuda Bauer; Sybil
Milton The History Teacher, Vol. 25, (Aug., 1992)]. This is an article of
faith for Zionism. To Zionists the Holocaust was a Jewish only affair from
which the Gypsies and Disabled are excluded.
The late Elie Wiesel said that to compare the sufferings of others with
Jews was a “betrayal of Jewish history”. [Against Silence, v. iii, 146.] Lucy
Dawidowicz, a well known holocaust historian and right-wing Zionist, held that ‘subsuming Jewish losses under
a universal or ecumenical classification is to effectively justify
anti-Semitism.’ The truth may be
uncomfortable but it is not anti-Semitic.
Telling the truth
however, according to Lansman’s weasel words is ‘offensive and ill-judged.’
If Lansman and the 6 who voted with him possessed anything resembling an
intellect, they would appreciate that the right to offend and be offensive is
the very essence of free speech.
Politicians who curtail their language for the sake of not giving
offence are being dishonest. The charge
of being ‘ill-informed’ applies to the dirty seven not Jackie Walker.
however, according to Lansman’s weasel words is ‘offensive and ill-judged.’
If Lansman and the 6 who voted with him possessed anything resembling an
intellect, they would appreciate that the right to offend and be offensive is
the very essence of free speech.
Politicians who curtail their language for the sake of not giving
offence are being dishonest. The charge
of being ‘ill-informed’ applies to the dirty seven not Jackie Walker.
Jackies other comment
concerning there being no standard definition of anti-Semitism is simply a
matter of fact. As we wrote in the Jewish
letter to Lansman:
concerning there being no standard definition of anti-Semitism is simply a
matter of fact. As we wrote in the Jewish
letter to Lansman:
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| Jon Lansman – unelected Momentum boss and property developer – together with Alliance 4 Workers Liberty have given the green light to witch hunters |
‘Jackie Walker was also right to question the JLM’s
assertion that the EUMC’s Working Definition of Anti-Semitism was the standard
definition of what constitutes anti-Semitism. This is simply dishonest. In
2013, this definition was scrapped by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency, as
the Times of Israel reported ‘’The European
Union’s agency for combating racism dropped its definition for anti-Semitism…
We are not aware of any official definition [of anti-Semitism],” Blanca Tapia
of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency told JTA on Tuesday.’
Far from Jackie being
ill-informed it was Lansman and company who were guilty of that sin. But since we had already been sent our
letter, before the meeting and given the assurance of James Schneider to us
that the all members of the Committee would be made aware of the letter, then
the seven cannot be accused of being ill-informed. They were liars employing verbal subterfuges.
ill-informed it was Lansman and company who were guilty of that sin. But since we had already been sent our
letter, before the meeting and given the assurance of James Schneider to us
that the all members of the Committee would be made aware of the letter, then
the seven cannot be accused of being ill-informed. They were liars employing verbal subterfuges.
What is most
outrageous about the statement is that although it calls for Jackie not to be expelled,
it says nothing about lifting her suspension.
In practice even this token call for Jackie not to be expelled has to be
seen in the light of the Steering Committee’s removal of Jackie as Vice
Chair. In essence the SC has given a
green light for her expulsion. The Alliance
for Workers Liberty, because of its support for Zionism, Israel and the Jewish
Labour Movement, has gone along with Jackie’s removal as Vice Chair. As such they have behaved as political scabs,
giving de facto support to her
expulsion. This from a so-called
Trotskyist organisation. Momentum
supporters throughout the country should draw the conclusion that AWL members
cannot be trusted to fight against the witch-hunt and their Campaign Against
the Purge is a self-serving organisation devoted primarily to saving their own
skins. It should be avoided like the
plague.
outrageous about the statement is that although it calls for Jackie not to be expelled,
it says nothing about lifting her suspension.
In practice even this token call for Jackie not to be expelled has to be
seen in the light of the Steering Committee’s removal of Jackie as Vice
Chair. In essence the SC has given a
green light for her expulsion. The Alliance
for Workers Liberty, because of its support for Zionism, Israel and the Jewish
Labour Movement, has gone along with Jackie’s removal as Vice Chair. As such they have behaved as political scabs,
giving de facto support to her
expulsion. This from a so-called
Trotskyist organisation. Momentum
supporters throughout the country should draw the conclusion that AWL members
cannot be trusted to fight against the witch-hunt and their Campaign Against
the Purge is a self-serving organisation devoted primarily to saving their own
skins. It should be avoided like the
plague.
Perhaps the most
outrageous aspect of the fitting up of Jackie Walker, because in reality when
she went to the JLM’s training event at Labour Party conference she was walking
into a honey trap, is that the whole affair was secretly filmed and the video
footage was immediately handed to the media.
What kind of ‘training event’ is it that passes film of an event to the
media in order that they can attack the participants for what they have
said? Only someone like liar Jeremy
Newmark, who is the political equivalent of a semi-house trained polecat.
outrageous aspect of the fitting up of Jackie Walker, because in reality when
she went to the JLM’s training event at Labour Party conference she was walking
into a honey trap, is that the whole affair was secretly filmed and the video
footage was immediately handed to the media.
What kind of ‘training event’ is it that passes film of an event to the
media in order that they can attack the participants for what they have
said? Only someone like liar Jeremy
Newmark, who is the political equivalent of a semi-house trained polecat.
The very fact that the
JLM had been allowed to run a ‘training event’ on anti-Semitism when it is a
racist organisation which makes a speciality of accusing anti-Zionists of ‘anti-Semitism’
is outrageous. Having the JLM run an
anti-racist course is like having a serial wife batter placed in charge of a
women’s refuge or having Nick Griffin of the BNP placed in charge of a course
in muli-culturalism.
JLM had been allowed to run a ‘training event’ on anti-Semitism when it is a
racist organisation which makes a speciality of accusing anti-Zionists of ‘anti-Semitism’
is outrageous. Having the JLM run an
anti-racist course is like having a serial wife batter placed in charge of a
women’s refuge or having Nick Griffin of the BNP placed in charge of a course
in muli-culturalism.
All that Lansman’s statement
could manage in this regard was an expression of ‘concern’ not condemnation for the fact that ‘footage of a training session was leaked to
the press.’ The reason for this mild
criticism, they don’t mention the JLM by name was that it ‘undermines much need political education.’ As if a ‘training session’ on anti-Semitism
by the JLM had anything to do with political
could manage in this regard was an expression of ‘concern’ not condemnation for the fact that ‘footage of a training session was leaked to
the press.’ The reason for this mild
criticism, they don’t mention the JLM by name was that it ‘undermines much need political education.’ As if a ‘training session’ on anti-Semitism
by the JLM had anything to do with political
education.
Again this sordid statement
of Lansman and company talks about ‘applying
the principles’ of the Chakrabarti Report.
In fact the Chakrabarti Report is quite good on the question of
anti-racism training. Anti-racist groups
such as the Institute of Race Relations have repeatedly criticised ‘racism
awareness training’ (RAT) for the Police as more a means of getting to know the
enemy better than combatting racism within the force. Chakrabarti states that:
of Lansman and company talks about ‘applying
the principles’ of the Chakrabarti Report.
In fact the Chakrabarti Report is quite good on the question of
anti-racism training. Anti-racist groups
such as the Institute of Race Relations have repeatedly criticised ‘racism
awareness training’ (RAT) for the Police as more a means of getting to know the
enemy better than combatting racism within the force. Chakrabarti states that:
On reflection, and having gauged the range of feelings within the
Party, it is not my view that narrow anti-racism training programmes are what
is required. There is a grave danger that such an approach would seem
patronising or otherwise insulting rather than truly empowering and enriching
for those taking part.
Party, it is not my view that narrow anti-racism training programmes are what
is required. There is a grave danger that such an approach would seem
patronising or otherwise insulting rather than truly empowering and enriching
for those taking part.
Before the meeting we
heard that Ronnie Draper, President of the Bakers Union, who was himself
suspended by Iain McNicol, the Labour Party’s General Secretary in the run-up
to the vote, had come out against the removal of Jackie as had Matt Wrack. This led some of us to think that Momentum
might be reconsidering its decision but it is clear that Lansman has invested
too much in appeasing the right to back down now.
heard that Ronnie Draper, President of the Bakers Union, who was himself
suspended by Iain McNicol, the Labour Party’s General Secretary in the run-up
to the vote, had come out against the removal of Jackie as had Matt Wrack. This led some of us to think that Momentum
might be reconsidering its decision but it is clear that Lansman has invested
too much in appeasing the right to back down now.
On Sunday in the
Observer, Lansman squashed calls to elect a new Deputy Leader, thus giving his
support to Tom Watson and he also opposed moves to deselect the Right of the
PLP. It is clear that Lansman’s ‘strategy’
if one can call it that is one of naked appeasement of the Right and a
determination that Momentum will be kept in check, a stage army, that will not
be allowed to develop a life of its own or become a genuinely democratic
organisation.
Observer, Lansman squashed calls to elect a new Deputy Leader, thus giving his
support to Tom Watson and he also opposed moves to deselect the Right of the
PLP. It is clear that Lansman’s ‘strategy’
if one can call it that is one of naked appeasement of the Right and a
determination that Momentum will be kept in check, a stage army, that will not
be allowed to develop a life of its own or become a genuinely democratic
organisation.
It is though essential
that Momentum members do not resign
because of the machinations of Lansman.
Instead we should organise to ensure that, despite the wishes of
Lansman, Momentum does become the property of its members rather than a
self-selected elite.
that Momentum members do not resign
because of the machinations of Lansman.
Instead we should organise to ensure that, despite the wishes of
Lansman, Momentum does become the property of its members rather than a
self-selected elite.
The major campaign now
within Momentum must be for the democratisation of the organisation. It’s national conference should be brought
forward from next February. It is
incumbent upon us to ensure that in future, the Steering Committee is directly
elected, or at least the officers are directly elected by Momentum Conference
itself.
within Momentum must be for the democratisation of the organisation. It’s national conference should be brought
forward from next February. It is
incumbent upon us to ensure that in future, the Steering Committee is directly
elected, or at least the officers are directly elected by Momentum Conference
itself.
Lansman made it clear
in the run up to the removal of Jackie Walker that he was in the business of
appeasing the Jewish Labour Movement.
This group is the British branch of the Israeli Labour Party. Its new Director Ella Rose comes directly
from the Israeli Embassy and Jeremy Newmark, its Chair has openly said that it
would be ‘rather odd” to suggest that the organization should have no contact with the
embassy.’ Most people consider that
working with the Israeli Embassy is odd. In short the JLM is effectively an emanation of the Israeli state
within the Labour Party. This is an anomalous
situation that cannot be allowed to continue.
One may as well give the CIA special rights of representation at
Conference. The JLM does not represent Jewish
members of the Labour Party but only the most right-wing Zionist members.
in the run up to the removal of Jackie Walker that he was in the business of
appeasing the Jewish Labour Movement.
This group is the British branch of the Israeli Labour Party. Its new Director Ella Rose comes directly
from the Israeli Embassy and Jeremy Newmark, its Chair has openly said that it
would be ‘rather odd” to suggest that the organization should have no contact with the
embassy.’ Most people consider that
working with the Israeli Embassy is odd. In short the JLM is effectively an emanation of the Israeli state
within the Labour Party. This is an anomalous
situation that cannot be allowed to continue.
One may as well give the CIA special rights of representation at
Conference. The JLM does not represent Jewish
members of the Labour Party but only the most right-wing Zionist members.
I am pleased to say
that members of Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, International Jewish Anti-Zionist
Network and Free Speech on Israel picketed the headquarter of TSSA, where
Momentum were meeting and we understand that this seriously rattled the
Steering Committee. Being forced to face
the membership is not something that property developer Jon Lansman finds at
all attractive or appealing.
that members of Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, International Jewish Anti-Zionist
Network and Free Speech on Israel picketed the headquarter of TSSA, where
Momentum were meeting and we understand that this seriously rattled the
Steering Committee. Being forced to face
the membership is not something that property developer Jon Lansman finds at
all attractive or appealing.
This whole episode
smacks of treachery. For months now Zionist
organisations have been out to get Jackie.
She has been subjected to unbelieveable amounts of racist abuse on
Twitter and elsewhere. I have previously
described what was happening to her as a form of political lynching and race
baiting. [The
Jewish Labour Movement and its Political Lynching of Jackie Walker] Zionists openly proclaimed that being Black Jackie
could not be Jewish. Rather than
condemning the vile outbursts of his supporters, Jeremy Newmark of JLM gave
them the green light. Now it would
appear Jon Lansman and the majority of the Momentum Steering Committee, including
the Alliance for Workers Liberty, have also endorsed this racist filth.
smacks of treachery. For months now Zionist
organisations have been out to get Jackie.
She has been subjected to unbelieveable amounts of racist abuse on
Twitter and elsewhere. I have previously
described what was happening to her as a form of political lynching and race
baiting. [The
Jewish Labour Movement and its Political Lynching of Jackie Walker] Zionists openly proclaimed that being Black Jackie
could not be Jewish. Rather than
condemning the vile outbursts of his supporters, Jeremy Newmark of JLM gave
them the green light. Now it would
appear Jon Lansman and the majority of the Momentum Steering Committee, including
the Alliance for Workers Liberty, have also endorsed this racist filth.
Tony Greenstein
Posted in Blog
