Bundists
behaving like Stalinists – JSG Leaders Remove Critics of Lansman from Jews 4
Jeremy FB Group
behaving like Stalinists – JSG Leaders Remove Critics of Lansman from Jews 4
Jeremy FB Group
 |
| Jackie Walker – subject to a racist witchhunt by the Zionist Jewish Labour Movement aided by Jon Lansman. The JSG is like the 3 monkeys – it neither sees, hears nor says anything |
 |
| The JSG’s censor-in-chief Julia Bard |
The Jewish Socialists Group,
which was originally founded in the early 1970’s as a left-Zionist group before moving
towards Bundism and non-Zionism, has never been an activist group. It is largely composed of what might be called the
leftist Jewish intelligentsia. However it has always been at the forefront of the anti-racist and anti-fascist struggle. At least until today when it has been rendered dumbstruck by Zionist attacks on Jackie Walker. Attacks which have been condoned and indeed supported by one of its own members, Jon Lansman.
Below are just some of the vile racist tweets attacking Jackie Walker which the JSG leadership have condoned by their silence and support for Lansman and the Momentum leadership.
 |
| This is what passes for Zio humour – calling a Black anti-racist ‘Nazi scum’ is a good example of how Zios trivialise anti-Semitism |
 |
| Naturally anyone who is an anti-Zionist is a ‘Jew hater’ unlike the Zionists who worked hand in hand with anti-Semites from Herzl onwards |
 |
| Burning Black people was an integral part of KKK lynching in the United States |
 |
| notice how this racist Zio emphasises the word ‘black’ |
 |
| ‘hanging’ Black people was also something that the KKK specialised in and Zionists salivate about |
 |
| A good combination of sexism and a neo-Nazi style denial of Jackie as Jewish |
 |
| No need for an explanation to this piece of vile race hatred |
 |
| I’ve had a number of tweets too from racist neo-Nazi style Zios who despite being concerned about ‘anti-Semitism’ express a desire to send you to the gas chambers – graffiti such as ‘Arabs to the gas chambers’ is quite common in Hebron and amongst the Judeo-Nazi setters there |
 |
| Once again the Zionist desire to emulate their KKK brothers and burn someone who is Black |
Given the predominance of right-wing
Zionist and conservative politics in the once radical Jewish community the JSG once stood
out for its dissent with establishment Jewish politics. To a large extent it has been
overtaken with the formation of groups like Jews 4 Justice for Palestinians,
Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, Jewdas etc .
JSG came to the fore with its support for the anti-fascist movement in the 1970’s.
When the Board of Deputies and the Union of Jewish Students opposed, in
the late 1970’s, the Anti Nazi League, which at that time was a mass movement
not an SWP front, the JSG was prominent in fighting a bourgeois Jewish leadership
who saw the fight against anti-Zionism as more important than the fight against
the National Front. At that time the
National Front, which was overtly anti-Semitic, was a credible political force,
forcing the Liberals into 4th place in by-elections in Birmingham
Ladywood and Stechford in 1977 and gaining 119,000 votes in the 1977 GLC
elections.
When the Board of Deputies and the Union of Jewish Students opposed, in
the late 1970’s, the Anti Nazi League, which at that time was a mass movement
not an SWP front, the JSG was prominent in fighting a bourgeois Jewish leadership
who saw the fight against anti-Zionism as more important than the fight against
the National Front. At that time the
National Front, which was overtly anti-Semitic, was a credible political force,
forcing the Liberals into 4th place in by-elections in Birmingham
Ladywood and Stechford in 1977 and gaining 119,000 votes in the 1977 GLC
elections.
 |
| Debate with Julia Bard in 1993 on the Oslo Accords which she supported |
The JSG’s position on Israel has always been one of 2 states whilst avoiding the question of Zionism and the nature of
the Jewish state. At the time of the 1993
Oslo Accords in a debate
with Julia Bard in Labour Briefing, she supported the
Accords.
the Jewish state. At the time of the 1993
Oslo Accords in a debate
with Julia Bard in Labour Briefing, she supported the
Accords.
 |
| Ian Saville speaking on behalf of Jackie Walker in May 2016 |
Dave Rosenberg says in his
statement below that the JSG encompasses a wide variety of left-wing
opinion. However this did not prevent
the JSG, despite its recent inactivity (Jewish Socialist,
which used to come out quarterly now appears less than once a year) being
involved in the setting up of the Jews for Jeremy group in the Summer of
2015. When the false anti-Semitism
campaign was at its height, the JSG supported Jackie Walker, before her removal as Vice
Chair of Momentum, when she was suspended in May 2016. Ian
Saville appeared as a JSG speaker on an LRC/Momentum platform in Brighton
alongside Jackie at a meeting specifically called to oppose the anti-Semitism
witchhunt.
statement below that the JSG encompasses a wide variety of left-wing
opinion. However this did not prevent
the JSG, despite its recent inactivity (Jewish Socialist,
which used to come out quarterly now appears less than once a year) being
involved in the setting up of the Jews for Jeremy group in the Summer of
2015. When the false anti-Semitism
campaign was at its height, the JSG supported Jackie Walker, before her removal as Vice
Chair of Momentum, when she was suspended in May 2016. Ian
Saville appeared as a JSG speaker on an LRC/Momentum platform in Brighton
alongside Jackie at a meeting specifically called to oppose the anti-Semitism
witchhunt.
 |
| Free Speech on Israel picket of Momentum Steering Committee which removed Jackie Walker |
Jackie was re-suspended in
September last year after the Labour Party Conference. There had been a sustained and vitriolic campaign
by the Jewish Labour Movement. Two weeks
before the LP Conference I had posted The Jewish Labour Movement and its Political
Lynching of Jackie Walker in which I wrote that:
September last year after the Labour Party Conference. There had been a sustained and vitriolic campaign
by the Jewish Labour Movement. Two weeks
before the LP Conference I had posted The Jewish Labour Movement and its Political
Lynching of Jackie Walker in which I wrote that:
‘Jackie was reinstated after
an investigation but the Zionists have refused to accept her acquittal and have
waged a campaign of vilification against her ever since…. The Jewish Labour
Movement … has run a disgraceful, race baiting campaign against Jackie.
It has been part and parcel of a Zionist attack on her which has questioned her
Jewish ancestry on the basis that she is Black. A large section of the Zionist
movement refuses to accept that Black people, for example the Black
Hebrews, can also be Jewish.’
 |
| Jeremy Newmark – racist liar-in-chief of the JLM |
The JLM’s Chair, Jeremy Newmark criticised
John McDonnell for speaking on an LRC platform with Jackie at the TUC
Conference in September. He was quoted as saying of McDonnell that:
John McDonnell for speaking on an LRC platform with Jackie at the TUC
Conference in September. He was quoted as saying of McDonnell that:
“He must explain his
defence of Walker which is inconsistent with his call for zero tolerance. This
raises serious questions. Our members expect him to explain himself.”
 |
| The discussion on the slave trade by Jackie Walker that prompted the racist attacks on her |
The
JLM campaign was based on the lie perpetrated by Marcus Dysch in the Jewish Chronicle that Jackie ‘claimed Jews caused ‘an African holocaust’. In fact what
she said, in a private and complex
Facebook discussion with an Israeli Zionist friend, was that
JLM campaign was based on the lie perpetrated by Marcus Dysch in the Jewish Chronicle that Jackie ‘claimed Jews caused ‘an African holocaust’. In fact what
she said, in a private and complex
Facebook discussion with an Israeli Zionist friend, was that
‘“Many Jews (my ancestors too) were the chief
financiers of the sugar and slave trade which is of course why there were so
many early synagogues in the Caribbean. So who are victims and what does it
mean? We are victims and perpetrators to some extent through choice.”
Clearly
what she was saying was that many Jews were among the chief financiers of the slave trade, which is a statement
of historical fact. On the basis of the
omission of one word, which was clearly implied by the context, Jackie has been
vilified and demonised.
what she was saying was that many Jews were among the chief financiers of the slave trade, which is a statement
of historical fact. On the basis of the
omission of one word, which was clearly implied by the context, Jackie has been
vilified and demonised.
Since September when Jackie was
suspended for a second time from the Labour Party, the JSG has maintained an embarrassed
silence. It has not only failed to
criticise Jackie’s suspension, but it has also failed to criticise or even
comment on the complicity in this racist attack by one of their own members,
Jon Lansman. Indeed it has gone out of its way to support him.
suspended for a second time from the Labour Party, the JSG has maintained an embarrassed
silence. It has not only failed to
criticise Jackie’s suspension, but it has also failed to criticise or even
comment on the complicity in this racist attack by one of their own members,
Jon Lansman. Indeed it has gone out of its way to support him.
I spoke on Thursday night at a
public meeting in Brighton with Jackie Walker.
The meeting was called to discuss the attack on free speech and the
suppression of the Palestinian voice by the Zionist movement and their Israeli
Embassy paymasters. The IHRA
definition of anti-Semitism which was adopted by Theresa May and which Corbyn decided to follow, has become the Zionists’ principal weapon.
public meeting in Brighton with Jackie Walker.
The meeting was called to discuss the attack on free speech and the
suppression of the Palestinian voice by the Zionist movement and their Israeli
Embassy paymasters. The IHRA
definition of anti-Semitism which was adopted by Theresa May and which Corbyn decided to follow, has become the Zionists’ principal weapon.
The whole purpose of the IHRA
definition is to conflate genuine anti-Semitism, i.e. hostility to Jews as Jews,
with criticism of Israel, which is anti-Semitic in itself, since it implies an
association between Jews and Israel. This
week it has been used to prevent
the holding of Israel Apartheid week at the University of Central
Lancashire and yesterday all students and academics at Sussex University were sent
an email by the Vice Chancellor attacking Israel Apartheid Week on campus.
definition is to conflate genuine anti-Semitism, i.e. hostility to Jews as Jews,
with criticism of Israel, which is anti-Semitic in itself, since it implies an
association between Jews and Israel. This
week it has been used to prevent
the holding of Israel Apartheid week at the University of Central
Lancashire and yesterday all students and academics at Sussex University were sent
an email by the Vice Chancellor attacking Israel Apartheid Week on campus.
 |
| More racist tweets by Zionists |
At UCL banning Israel
Apartheid Week was justified by the Prevent counter-terrorism duty. Support for the Palestinians and opposition to
Zionism is being conflated with ‘terrorism’ as we always said it would. Of course the definition of ‘terrorism’ excludes
Israeli state terrorism. Once again Prevent
is being used to clamp down on free speech.
Apartheid Week was justified by the Prevent counter-terrorism duty. Support for the Palestinians and opposition to
Zionism is being conflated with ‘terrorism’ as we always said it would. Of course the definition of ‘terrorism’ excludes
Israeli state terrorism. Once again Prevent
is being used to clamp down on free speech.
 |
| One of many racist tweets that Jackie Walker has received |
Jackie, told of how she had been
the recipient of dozens of vitriolic racist tweets, of which those above are but a sample, as a
result of the Zionist campaign against
her. She is rightly fearful for her own
physical safety. One of the reasons this
has occurred is that she is Black and Jewish.
Many of the tweets are concerned with her Jewishness since for many in
the Zionist movement being Jewish is a European affair. Arab Jews are bad enough compared to White
Russians but Black Jews are beyond the pale.
It is for this reason that Ethiopian Jews in Israel suffer from extreme
racist hostility.
the recipient of dozens of vitriolic racist tweets, of which those above are but a sample, as a
result of the Zionist campaign against
her. She is rightly fearful for her own
physical safety. One of the reasons this
has occurred is that she is Black and Jewish.
Many of the tweets are concerned with her Jewishness since for many in
the Zionist movement being Jewish is a European affair. Arab Jews are bad enough compared to White
Russians but Black Jews are beyond the pale.
It is for this reason that Ethiopian Jews in Israel suffer from extreme
racist hostility.
Normally if someone says they are
Jewish I take them at their word. But to
Zionist racists, it is very important to investigate someone’s lineage because in Israel being Jewish determines
your entitlement to privileges. When investigating whether someone is entitled to come to Israel under the Law of Return, recourse has even been had to Nazi records to determine whether or not someone is Jewish. Similarly the
Zionists have employed someone to investigate Jackie’s family lineage and
draw up a family tree to prove she isn’t Jewish. 80 years ago in Germany the same people would
have found employment proving that people were Jewish.
Jewish I take them at their word. But to
Zionist racists, it is very important to investigate someone’s lineage because in Israel being Jewish determines
your entitlement to privileges. When investigating whether someone is entitled to come to Israel under the Law of Return, recourse has even been had to Nazi records to determine whether or not someone is Jewish. Similarly the
Zionists have employed someone to investigate Jackie’s family lineage and
draw up a family tree to prove she isn’t Jewish. 80 years ago in Germany the same people would
have found employment proving that people were Jewish.
The
Silence of the JSG
Silence of the JSG
Critics of Lansman’s coup in
Momentum or those questioning why the JSG are suppressing criticism of him have
been removed from the Jews for Jeremy and JSG Facebook groups. A similar fate has befallen those criticising
why the JSG has remained silent over the removal of Jackie Walker as Vice-Chair
of Momentum and her suspension from the Labour Party.
Momentum or those questioning why the JSG are suppressing criticism of him have
been removed from the Jews for Jeremy and JSG Facebook groups. A similar fate has befallen those criticising
why the JSG has remained silent over the removal of Jackie Walker as Vice-Chair
of Momentum and her suspension from the Labour Party.
 |
| David Rosenberg |
Why has the JSG’s leadership, in
particular David Rosenberg and Julia Bard, moved to what is effectively a
Stalinist position of suppressing political discussion? For a group that traces its political lineage
from the Bund, it is ironic that it is behaving more like the Bund’s historic
political enemy.
particular David Rosenberg and Julia Bard, moved to what is effectively a
Stalinist position of suppressing political discussion? For a group that traces its political lineage
from the Bund, it is ironic that it is behaving more like the Bund’s historic
political enemy.
David Rosenberg, in a statement
to the Free Speech on Israel group (see below) throws what is the political
equivalent of a tantrum but fails to answer any questions about Jackie beyond
saying that the JSG moderators of the J4J FB page have blocked ‘anti-Corbyn material’. Most people would assume that means criticism
from the Right and Progress, i.e. from those hostile to Corbyn. This is dishonest because the critics who
have been debarred are not hostile to Corbyn but fearful as to how long he will
last given his present political trajectory.
to the Free Speech on Israel group (see below) throws what is the political
equivalent of a tantrum but fails to answer any questions about Jackie beyond
saying that the JSG moderators of the J4J FB page have blocked ‘anti-Corbyn material’. Most people would assume that means criticism
from the Right and Progress, i.e. from those hostile to Corbyn. This is dishonest because the critics who
have been debarred are not hostile to Corbyn but fearful as to how long he will
last given his present political trajectory.
What David really meant is any
critique as to whether for example Corbyn is right to appease the Right, disavow
reselection of Labour MPs and say that support for free movement of workers should
be sacrificed on the altar of Brexit. In
categorising any criticism of Corbyn and McDonnell as ‘anti-Corbyn’ what David is doing is indulging in a personality
cult, which was also the hallmark of Stalinism.
Lack of debate weakens not strengthens Corbyn. We should be under no illusions that Corbyn’s
position at present is not a strong one.
critique as to whether for example Corbyn is right to appease the Right, disavow
reselection of Labour MPs and say that support for free movement of workers should
be sacrificed on the altar of Brexit. In
categorising any criticism of Corbyn and McDonnell as ‘anti-Corbyn’ what David is doing is indulging in a personality
cult, which was also the hallmark of Stalinism.
Lack of debate weakens not strengthens Corbyn. We should be under no illusions that Corbyn’s
position at present is not a strong one.
In the JSG statement David
Rosenberg’s position was that ‘Our group
is anti-Zionist but does not go in for gratuitous and childish demonisation of
those who identify as Zionists.’
Rosenberg’s position was that ‘Our group
is anti-Zionist but does not go in for gratuitous and childish demonisation of
those who identify as Zionists.’
I am not aware that the JSG has
ever identified itself as anti-Zionist in any published material. Presumably what Rosenberg means is recognising and understanding the role of Zionist groups such as the JLM in the attack, not only on Corbyn
and the Left but in the witch-hunt more widely. Zionist groups are our
political enemies, not cuddly multi-culturalists. The Bund historically considered Zionism as
its main enemy in the Jewish community not something it could cosy up to.
ever identified itself as anti-Zionist in any published material. Presumably what Rosenberg means is recognising and understanding the role of Zionist groups such as the JLM in the attack, not only on Corbyn
and the Left but in the witch-hunt more widely. Zionist groups are our
political enemies, not cuddly multi-culturalists. The Bund historically considered Zionism as
its main enemy in the Jewish community not something it could cosy up to.
As the Al Jazeera programmes ‘The Lobby’
revealed, there is a well organised Zionist lobby in Britain, serviced and
funded by the Israeli embassy, whose role is to destabilise and undermine the Corbyn
leadership of the Labour Party and those like Malia Bouathia in NUS, who oppose
the Israeli state or who support the Boycott of Israel.
revealed, there is a well organised Zionist lobby in Britain, serviced and
funded by the Israeli embassy, whose role is to destabilise and undermine the Corbyn
leadership of the Labour Party and those like Malia Bouathia in NUS, who oppose
the Israeli state or who support the Boycott of Israel.
One of the principal signatories
to the letter purportedly criticising Arkush is Ella Rose, who directly transferred
from working at the Israeli Embassy to
becoming Director of the JLM. She was
also recorded as threatening
to ‘take out’ Jackie Walker.
to the letter purportedly criticising Arkush is Ella Rose, who directly transferred
from working at the Israeli Embassy to
becoming Director of the JLM. She was
also recorded as threatening
to ‘take out’ Jackie Walker.
 |
| Julia Bard telling Ruth Appleton of the JSG not to mention she is in the JSG in a Guardian letter – ‘The JSG is not commenting at the moment’ owing to the ‘complexity and volatility’ of the situation. She was asked to wait for 30 minutes – we are still waiting! |
Posting The
Strange Silence of the Jewish Socialists Group over Jackie’s suspension got
me removed from the JSG’s Facebook page some months ago. There was no warning or message. Prior to that Julia Bard had removed a link I
had posted to a blog post critical of Lansman.
When we organised a letter to the Guardian supporting Jackie Walker, JSG
member Ruth Appleton was told in an email
by Julia Bard to remove all reference to the JSG even though she wasn’t writing
on behalf of the group. Clearly the JSG
is embarrassed by any association with the campaign to support Jackie.
Strange Silence of the Jewish Socialists Group over Jackie’s suspension got
me removed from the JSG’s Facebook page some months ago. There was no warning or message. Prior to that Julia Bard had removed a link I
had posted to a blog post critical of Lansman.
When we organised a letter to the Guardian supporting Jackie Walker, JSG
member Ruth Appleton was told in an email
by Julia Bard to remove all reference to the JSG even though she wasn’t writing
on behalf of the group. Clearly the JSG
is embarrassed by any association with the campaign to support Jackie.
 |
| Debbie Fink made the cardinal error of posting an article of mine to the J4J FB page – worse still it attacked Jon Lansman’s putsch |
Asking why Lansman, a member of
the JSG, had not been called to account for his removal of Jackie Walker as Momentum
Vice-Chair, an act which even Cecile Wright, Lansman’s supporter on the Momentum Steering
Committee has described as a ‘political
lynching’, merited the following message on the Free Speech on Israel list in
reply to Debbie Fink. According to
Rosenberg, her question was:
the JSG, had not been called to account for his removal of Jackie Walker as Momentum
Vice-Chair, an act which even Cecile Wright, Lansman’s supporter on the Momentum Steering
Committee has described as a ‘political
lynching’, merited the following message on the Free Speech on Israel list in
reply to Debbie Fink. According to
Rosenberg, her question was:
‘‘based on ignorance and vituperation, they were not worth
responding to. The JSG is solely accountable to its members, not to you, nor to
FSOI, nor to any other groups we may or may not be connected with or work
with.’
 |
| Julia Bard in full censorship mode |
Which was more of a political
tantrum than an answer. When Debbie
committed the cardinal sin of posting an article on Lansman’s Kitchen Coup on the J4J FaceBook group asking
why the silence over Jackie Walker, she was summarily removed, as others have
been since then. All removals have been conducted
by Julia Bard, the JSG’s Political Commissar.
tantrum than an answer. When Debbie
committed the cardinal sin of posting an article on Lansman’s Kitchen Coup on the J4J FaceBook group asking
why the silence over Jackie Walker, she was summarily removed, as others have
been since then. All removals have been conducted
by Julia Bard, the JSG’s Political Commissar.
I was removed from the J4J group
last year when I sent a letter to the Guardian on behalf of J4J supporting the
new Black President of the National Union of Students against the racist
attacks of the Zionist Union of Jewish Students. Attacks which we now know from Al Jazeera’s
‘The Lobby’ were co-ordinated with the Israeli state and its Embassy in London.
last year when I sent a letter to the Guardian on behalf of J4J supporting the
new Black President of the National Union of Students against the racist
attacks of the Zionist Union of Jewish Students. Attacks which we now know from Al Jazeera’s
‘The Lobby’ were co-ordinated with the Israeli state and its Embassy in London.
I made a conscious decision, given
the lack of any democratic mechanisms within J4J, to send a letter defending
Malia to the Guardian. In my naivety I
didn’t realise that the JSG’s commitment to anti-racism stops short of
defending Black anti-racists when they are accused of ‘anti-Semitism’ by
Zionists.
the lack of any democratic mechanisms within J4J, to send a letter defending
Malia to the Guardian. In my naivety I
didn’t realise that the JSG’s commitment to anti-racism stops short of
defending Black anti-racists when they are accused of ‘anti-Semitism’ by
Zionists.
 |
| Original letter to the Guardian from Jewish supporters of Jeremy Corbyn – not a member of JSG in sight |
The 3 moderators of the J4J group
are all members of the JSG and include the David
Rosenberg and Julia Bard partnership, as well as Ian Saville. The reason Dave gives in his statement below
for this situation is that the JSG set up J4J.
But this not true. The genesis of
J4J began over the summer 2015 when a group of us sent a letter to the Guardian,
which was printed on August 20th 2015 during the leadership
elections, supporting Jeremy Corbyn. Debbie
Fink and myself from J-Big were responsible for organising the letter and I personally
sent it off from Normandy where I was on holiday!
are all members of the JSG and include the David
Rosenberg and Julia Bard partnership, as well as Ian Saville. The reason Dave gives in his statement below
for this situation is that the JSG set up J4J.
But this not true. The genesis of
J4J began over the summer 2015 when a group of us sent a letter to the Guardian,
which was printed on August 20th 2015 during the leadership
elections, supporting Jeremy Corbyn. Debbie
Fink and myself from J-Big were responsible for organising the letter and I personally
sent it off from Normandy where I was on holiday!
 |
| Letter in Jewish Chronicle from Jews for Jeremy – it was organised by J-Big members not the JSG |
This letter was the genesis of
the idea that Corbyn needed Jewish members of the Labour Party to rebut the
fake allegations of anti-Semitism.
Allegations that originated in the Daily Mail and Jewish Chronicle that
Corbyn had worked with a holocaust denier Paul Eisen. On the 2nd October 2015 I
organised another Jewish letter, signed by about 80 people, which was printed
by the Jewish Chronicle, rebutting theirs and Jonathan Freedland’s accusations
that Corbyn was anti-Semitic. This
letter was printed in the name of Jews 4 Jeremy. The suggestion in David Rosenberg’s bad-tempered
response that J4J was a JSG initiative is a falsehood. It was a coming together of a whole number of
Jews from J-Big, JfJP, the JSG and independents. The seizing of control of the Facebook group
by the JSG was an act of sectarianism at which the SWP usually excel. We are now seeing its effects in Bard’s purge
of dissenters.
the idea that Corbyn needed Jewish members of the Labour Party to rebut the
fake allegations of anti-Semitism.
Allegations that originated in the Daily Mail and Jewish Chronicle that
Corbyn had worked with a holocaust denier Paul Eisen. On the 2nd October 2015 I
organised another Jewish letter, signed by about 80 people, which was printed
by the Jewish Chronicle, rebutting theirs and Jonathan Freedland’s accusations
that Corbyn was anti-Semitic. This
letter was printed in the name of Jews 4 Jeremy. The suggestion in David Rosenberg’s bad-tempered
response that J4J was a JSG initiative is a falsehood. It was a coming together of a whole number of
Jews from J-Big, JfJP, the JSG and independents. The seizing of control of the Facebook group
by the JSG was an act of sectarianism at which the SWP usually excel. We are now seeing its effects in Bard’s purge
of dissenters.
The J4J group has done nothing in
the past year. Despite the defamatory anti-Semitism
campaign by the Zionists it has remained silent. J4J’s inactivity is the result of the JSG’s organisational stranglehold. It
is Momentum writ small. What should
happen is that the group, which could have played a much larger part in the
fight against the witch-hunt and against Zionist attacks on Jeremy, should be
relaunched with some form of democratic control.
the past year. Despite the defamatory anti-Semitism
campaign by the Zionists it has remained silent. J4J’s inactivity is the result of the JSG’s organisational stranglehold. It
is Momentum writ small. What should
happen is that the group, which could have played a much larger part in the
fight against the witch-hunt and against Zionist attacks on Jeremy, should be
relaunched with some form of democratic control.
On 12th January Debbie Fink posted my article on Lansman’s coup in Momentum to the J4J blog and she posted the statement below,
on Monday 16th January to the Free Speech on Israel list.
on Monday 16th January to the Free Speech on Israel list.
 |
| Lansman’s clones spreading the word about Jackie Walker |
‘As the subject of Lansman has come up again, here’s an
article that might be of interest. This is the one the Jews for Jeremy
moderators removed without explanation, throwing me off the list when I
challenged it, again without explanation. To date, I have received no
explanation for this nor answers to questions that I’m sure, we all want: why
the JSG are covering for Lansman and not speaking out against the treatment of
Jackie; why they are guilty of the same censorship as the Israel lobby and why
they are loyal to Lansman, a Zionist who’s colluding with the JLM rather than
Jackie, a Socialist.
The JSG won’t talk to me but maybe they will at least have
the decency to speak to someone else here.’
David Rosenberg was sufficiently stung to post a reply to FSOI.
Statement
of Clarification re Debbie Fink’s questions re JSG, Jews for Jeremy, and John
Lansman. This is for information. We won’t be making further comment on this
matter as we have more important work to do.
of Clarification re Debbie Fink’s questions re JSG, Jews for Jeremy, and John
Lansman. This is for information. We won’t be making further comment on this
matter as we have more important work to do.
Jews for
Jeremy (J4J) was set up mainly by JSG members in the summer of 2015 to defend
Jeremy Corbyn from attack by those seeking to undermine him (Conservatives,
Blairites, Zionists), and especially those using false accusations of
antisemitism to attack Corbyn and his supporters.
Jeremy (J4J) was set up mainly by JSG members in the summer of 2015 to defend
Jeremy Corbyn from attack by those seeking to undermine him (Conservatives,
Blairites, Zionists), and especially those using false accusations of
antisemitism to attack Corbyn and his supporters.
The J4J page
is NOT a place for those who wish to attack, disparage, abuse or insult Corbyn
and the political stance he represents. It is NOT a place to fight proxy
sectarian wars or settle political scores on other matters.
is NOT a place for those who wish to attack, disparage, abuse or insult Corbyn
and the political stance he represents. It is NOT a place to fight proxy
sectarian wars or settle political scores on other matters.
Very soon
after the page was set up it had to block a number of people who joined up for
nefarious purposes. They fell mainly into two categories:
after the page was set up it had to block a number of people who joined up for
nefarious purposes. They fell mainly into two categories:
• Holocaust-denying antisemites
• Trouble-making Zionists
On a very few
occasions since then we have, reluctantly, had to block people for misusing our
page by posting anti-Corbyn material, abusive sectarian political material, or
re-posting material by those who they know have been blocked from the page. It
is for these reasons that J4J collectively decided to block Debbie Fink. Having
stated that she was not going to attack the JSG publicly, her continued abuse
about the group and Corbyn in her emails and Facebook posts since she was
blocked, her conspiracy theories and fantasies involving the JSG, Jon Lansman
and Jeremy Corbyn, and her continued re-posting of material by a person who was
blocked, leads us to believe that if we unblocked her now, we would be opening
the page to more of the same.
occasions since then we have, reluctantly, had to block people for misusing our
page by posting anti-Corbyn material, abusive sectarian political material, or
re-posting material by those who they know have been blocked from the page. It
is for these reasons that J4J collectively decided to block Debbie Fink. Having
stated that she was not going to attack the JSG publicly, her continued abuse
about the group and Corbyn in her emails and Facebook posts since she was
blocked, her conspiracy theories and fantasies involving the JSG, Jon Lansman
and Jeremy Corbyn, and her continued re-posting of material by a person who was
blocked, leads us to believe that if we unblocked her now, we would be opening
the page to more of the same.
Any
organisation that sets up a Facebook Page has the right to ensure that its page
and participants are not abused. That is what we have done. She can post her
views freely elsewhere but not on this page.
organisation that sets up a Facebook Page has the right to ensure that its page
and participants are not abused. That is what we have done. She can post her
views freely elsewhere but not on this page.
The JSG
membership spans people from the middle of the Labour Party to the far left
within and beyond the Party, to Greens and anarchists. We organise together on
the basis of shared values, principles and democratically agreed policies.
membership spans people from the middle of the Labour Party to the far left
within and beyond the Party, to Greens and anarchists. We organise together on
the basis of shared values, principles and democratically agreed policies.
Our group is
anti-Zionist but does not go in for gratuitous and childish demonisation of
those who identify as Zionists. We know from long experience that many of the
most effective Jewish anti-Zionist campaigners today once identified as
Zionists. We are simultaneously in the business of opposing Zionism and trying
to persuade those beginning to have doubts. You don’t do that by insulting them
as “zios”. On an earlier occasion we had to ask Debbie to take down ranting posts
that about why we should call people “zios”. On this specific issue the JSG
completely agrees with the view expressed by Shami Chakrabarti in her report.
anti-Zionist but does not go in for gratuitous and childish demonisation of
those who identify as Zionists. We know from long experience that many of the
most effective Jewish anti-Zionist campaigners today once identified as
Zionists. We are simultaneously in the business of opposing Zionism and trying
to persuade those beginning to have doubts. You don’t do that by insulting them
as “zios”. On an earlier occasion we had to ask Debbie to take down ranting posts
that about why we should call people “zios”. On this specific issue the JSG
completely agrees with the view expressed by Shami Chakrabarti in her report.
Re Jon
Lansman: JSG members are also active individually in a range of groups,
organisations, and campaigns. We do not police what they say and do in such
groups. They are only accountable to the JSG for what they say or do in the
name of the JSG.
Lansman: JSG members are also active individually in a range of groups,
organisations, and campaigns. We do not police what they say and do in such
groups. They are only accountable to the JSG for what they say or do in the
name of the JSG.
Jon Lansman
has been a member of the JSG for many years but has never been an active
member. We know him as a longstanding and consistent supporter of Palestinian
rights.
has been a member of the JSG for many years but has never been an active
member. We know him as a longstanding and consistent supporter of Palestinian
rights.
The JSG is not
affiliated to Momentum and does not hold or express a JSG view about Momentum’s
internal affairs. We are aware that those currently opposing, and in some cases
demonising him, include both pro-Zionist AWL supporters as well as
anti-Zionists. We personally know Jewish Momentum members on all sides of this
debate, but that is an issue for Momentum members. It is not an issue for the
JSG as the JSG.
affiliated to Momentum and does not hold or express a JSG view about Momentum’s
internal affairs. We are aware that those currently opposing, and in some cases
demonising him, include both pro-Zionist AWL supporters as well as
anti-Zionists. We personally know Jewish Momentum members on all sides of this
debate, but that is an issue for Momentum members. It is not an issue for the
JSG as the JSG.
Some JSG
members are members of the Labour Party (LP) too, but the JSG is not affiliated
to the LP. We have expressed a strong view on accusations of antisemitism
directed against Labour Party members which we have issued as public statements
and in talks and articles by JSG members, eg:
members are members of the Labour Party (LP) too, but the JSG is not affiliated
to the LP. We have expressed a strong view on accusations of antisemitism
directed against Labour Party members which we have issued as public statements
and in talks and articles by JSG members, eg:
The key elements
of this are:
of this are:
• We recognise that “ordinary Jewish people
are rightly concerned and fearful about instances of antisemitism. We share
their concerns… But we will not support those making false accusations for
cynical political motives”
are rightly concerned and fearful about instances of antisemitism. We share
their concerns… But we will not support those making false accusations for
cynical political motives”
• We believe that: “Accusations of
antisemitism are currently being weaponised to attack the Jeremy Corbyn-led
Labour Party with claims that Labour has a “problem” of antisemitism.”
antisemitism are currently being weaponised to attack the Jeremy Corbyn-led
Labour Party with claims that Labour has a “problem” of antisemitism.”
• We reject “any attempt, from whichever
quarter, to place legitimate criticism of Israeli policy out of bounds…We stand
for free speech and open debate on Israel, Palestine and Zionism.”
quarter, to place legitimate criticism of Israeli policy out of bounds…We stand
for free speech and open debate on Israel, Palestine and Zionism.”
• We urge the LP “to develop clear and
transparent compliance procedures for dealing with allegations of antisemitism
and racism. If a member is being investigated for a charge of
antisemitism/racism they must be told what they are being accused of and given
an opportunity to retract or explain what they meant. If disciplinary
procedures are being applied, bans must be a last resort… The aim should be as
far as possible to deal with such problems through education.”
transparent compliance procedures for dealing with allegations of antisemitism
and racism. If a member is being investigated for a charge of
antisemitism/racism they must be told what they are being accused of and given
an opportunity to retract or explain what they meant. If disciplinary
procedures are being applied, bans must be a last resort… The aim should be as
far as possible to deal with such problems through education.”
The JSG
continues to uphold these principles. We do not give blanket support to all
individuals caught up in what we recognise generally as a deliberately
manufactured campaign to undermine Corbyn and his supporters because we know
that, amongst them, a few genuine cases of antisemitism have been unearthed.
These include LP members who have been sharing antisemitic Jewish conspiracy
material from far right sites, thinly veiled as pro-Palestinian material; cases
of members professing their innocence who have been sharing material about
“Rothschild bankers”; and those who think there is something called “Jewish
capitalism”. While we support those who have been unfairly accused, this does
not imply unconditional support for every utterance of every individual who has
been excluded. All who have been targeted by the Compliance Unit but who
express sincere views that are not antisemitic have our continued support.
continues to uphold these principles. We do not give blanket support to all
individuals caught up in what we recognise generally as a deliberately
manufactured campaign to undermine Corbyn and his supporters because we know
that, amongst them, a few genuine cases of antisemitism have been unearthed.
These include LP members who have been sharing antisemitic Jewish conspiracy
material from far right sites, thinly veiled as pro-Palestinian material; cases
of members professing their innocence who have been sharing material about
“Rothschild bankers”; and those who think there is something called “Jewish
capitalism”. While we support those who have been unfairly accused, this does
not imply unconditional support for every utterance of every individual who has
been excluded. All who have been targeted by the Compliance Unit but who
express sincere views that are not antisemitic have our continued support.
As stated at
the beginning, this statement is for information only. We do not intend to
engage in debate and will not be making further comment on it. Our priority is
practical, assertive campaigning that supports the Palestinians in their fight
for justice and not to be diverted by sectarian infighting.
the beginning, this statement is for information only. We do not intend to
engage in debate and will not be making further comment on it. Our priority is
practical, assertive campaigning that supports the Palestinians in their fight
for justice and not to be diverted by sectarian infighting.
David
Rosenberg
Rosenberg
David Rosenberg’s statement is
disingenuous on a number of levels:
disingenuous on a number of levels:
·
It ignores the key issue which is that
Lansman, a JSG member, was instrumental in the removal of Jackie Walker as Vice
Chair of Momentum at the behest of the JLM.
This move precipitated her suspension from the Labour Party. Does JSG really have nothing to say about
racism involving one of its own members?
The JSG has also kept remarkably quiet about the Zionist attacks on Marc
Wadsworth and Malia Bouattia.
It ignores the key issue which is that
Lansman, a JSG member, was instrumental in the removal of Jackie Walker as Vice
Chair of Momentum at the behest of the JLM.
This move precipitated her suspension from the Labour Party. Does JSG really have nothing to say about
racism involving one of its own members?
The JSG has also kept remarkably quiet about the Zionist attacks on Marc
Wadsworth and Malia Bouattia.
·
Lansman has admitted
that he works closely with the JLM’s Chairperson, Jeremy Newmark. Newmark is an Israeli state operative and the JLM
works with its ‘sister’ party, the racist Israeli Labour Party.
Lansman has admitted
that he works closely with the JLM’s Chairperson, Jeremy Newmark. Newmark is an Israeli state operative and the JLM
works with its ‘sister’ party, the racist Israeli Labour Party.
· On the one hand David says that ‘On a very few occasions since
then we have, reluctantly, had to block people for misusing our page by posting
anti-Corbyn material’ and on the other ‘The JSG is not affiliated to Momentum
and does not hold or express a JSG view about Momentum’s internal
affairs.’ Presumably if JSG has no
particular view on the Labour Party or Momentum why are they blocking criticism
of Corbyn on the J4J list, which they describe as ‘our page’?
then we have, reluctantly, had to block people for misusing our page by posting
anti-Corbyn material’ and on the other ‘The JSG is not affiliated to Momentum
and does not hold or express a JSG view about Momentum’s internal
affairs.’ Presumably if JSG has no
particular view on the Labour Party or Momentum why are they blocking criticism
of Corbyn on the J4J list, which they describe as ‘our page’?
·
David’s defence of Lansman’s
complicity in the attack on Jackie Walker is interesting. He doesn’t mention it! Instead David talks about the ‘demonisation’
of Lansman, whereas the only demonisation that has occurred to date is that of
Jackie Walker, as the tweets above demonstrate. It is Jackie Walker, not Lansman, who has been the recipient of the vilest race hatred. It is a curious way to deal
with racism to say that it is the perpetrators who have been demonised.
David’s defence of Lansman’s
complicity in the attack on Jackie Walker is interesting. He doesn’t mention it! Instead David talks about the ‘demonisation’
of Lansman, whereas the only demonisation that has occurred to date is that of
Jackie Walker, as the tweets above demonstrate. It is Jackie Walker, not Lansman, who has been the recipient of the vilest race hatred. It is a curious way to deal
with racism to say that it is the perpetrators who have been demonised.
· David says that ‘J4J
collectively decided to block Debbie Fink’. When was
the vote? Was Debbie informed? What
David means is he consulted his partner Julia Bard and perhaps Ian Saville. And why is it an offence to post the material
of someone who is blocked? That seems
like guilt-by association. It’s one
thing to take exception to a particular article but to censor anything by a
particular person smacks of McCarthyism.
collectively decided to block Debbie Fink’. When was
the vote? Was Debbie informed? What
David means is he consulted his partner Julia Bard and perhaps Ian Saville. And why is it an offence to post the material
of someone who is blocked? That seems
like guilt-by association. It’s one
thing to take exception to a particular article but to censor anything by a
particular person smacks of McCarthyism.
·
David says of Jon Lansman that ‘We know him as a longstanding and
consistent supporter of Palestinian rights.’
This again is disingenuous.
Lansman has never been involved in the Palestine solidarity
movement. Instead during the present
anti-Semitism witch-hunt, Lansman penned an article excusing the Nakba, the
expulsion of ¾ million Palestinians in 1948, by relativising it. Labour
and the Jews: from ethnic cleansing to truth and reconciliation. And he also posted
another article, reflecting the JLM’s concern that we shouldn’t mention
Zionism, the ideology and movement that established apartheid in Israel. Why
the Left must stop talking about ‘Zionism’
David says of Jon Lansman that ‘We know him as a longstanding and
consistent supporter of Palestinian rights.’
This again is disingenuous.
Lansman has never been involved in the Palestine solidarity
movement. Instead during the present
anti-Semitism witch-hunt, Lansman penned an article excusing the Nakba, the
expulsion of ¾ million Palestinians in 1948, by relativising it. Labour
and the Jews: from ethnic cleansing to truth and reconciliation. And he also posted
another article, reflecting the JLM’s concern that we shouldn’t mention
Zionism, the ideology and movement that established apartheid in Israel. Why
the Left must stop talking about ‘Zionism’
·
David Rosenberg refers us to 3
statements by the JSG on recent anti-Semitism controversies and in particular
the statement on fake anti-Semitism. Statement
on “Labour’s problem with antisemitism”. They are mostly unobjectionable but
you judge someone not by what they say but what they do and the JSG’s refusal
to defend Jackie Walker and its defence of Lansman, demonstrates that these
words are pious utterances.
David Rosenberg refers us to 3
statements by the JSG on recent anti-Semitism controversies and in particular
the statement on fake anti-Semitism. Statement
on “Labour’s problem with antisemitism”. They are mostly unobjectionable but
you judge someone not by what they say but what they do and the JSG’s refusal
to defend Jackie Walker and its defence of Lansman, demonstrates that these
words are pious utterances.
·
David says that ‘a few genuine cases of
antisemitism have been unearthed’ and these include LP members who have been
sharing antisemitic Jewish conspiracy material from far right sites and material
about “Rothschild bankers”. If there are
a few such cases then the present witch-hunt is the worst way to deal with
them. It is noticeable that there has
been no trawl for Islamophobic material.
David says that ‘a few genuine cases of
antisemitism have been unearthed’ and these include LP members who have been
sharing antisemitic Jewish conspiracy material from far right sites and material
about “Rothschild bankers”. If there are
a few such cases then the present witch-hunt is the worst way to deal with
them. It is noticeable that there has
been no trawl for Islamophobic material.
If some people’s reactions to
Zionism and Israel’s behaviour has taken an anti-Semitic form, then the answer
is political education not administrative and bureaucratic methods, including
expulsion. It is an unfortunate fact
that Zionist claims about Jewish responsibility for what happens in
Israel/Palestine will inevitably produce an anti-Semitic reaction in some
people.
Zionism and Israel’s behaviour has taken an anti-Semitic form, then the answer
is political education not administrative and bureaucratic methods, including
expulsion. It is an unfortunate fact
that Zionist claims about Jewish responsibility for what happens in
Israel/Palestine will inevitably produce an anti-Semitic reaction in some
people.
·
What should be of concern is that the
JLM, which describes itself as the Israeli Labour Party’s ‘sister
party’ is put in charge of ‘anti-racist’
training in the Labour Party. Defence of
an apartheid state and its regime is far more serious than a few nuts who
believe that the Rothschilds sponsored the Russian Revolution.
What should be of concern is that the
JLM, which describes itself as the Israeli Labour Party’s ‘sister
party’ is put in charge of ‘anti-racist’
training in the Labour Party. Defence of
an apartheid state and its regime is far more serious than a few nuts who
believe that the Rothschilds sponsored the Russian Revolution.
The leader of
the JLM’s ‘sister party’ Isaac Herzog is an out and out racist who recently
declared
that his nightmare was waking up to find that Israel had a Palestinian Prime
Minister and 61 Palestinian Members of Israel’s Knesset . Herzog also declared that he wanted to dispel
the false impression that the ILP were ‘Arab Lovers’. Just imagine if someone had said that their
nightmare was to wake up and find Britain had a Jewish Prime Minister or that
the Labour Party was not a ‘Jew lovers’ party. Such terms used to be part
of the language of the National Front and BNP.
the JLM’s ‘sister party’ Isaac Herzog is an out and out racist who recently
declared
that his nightmare was waking up to find that Israel had a Palestinian Prime
Minister and 61 Palestinian Members of Israel’s Knesset . Herzog also declared that he wanted to dispel
the false impression that the ILP were ‘Arab Lovers’. Just imagine if someone had said that their
nightmare was to wake up and find Britain had a Jewish Prime Minister or that
the Labour Party was not a ‘Jew lovers’ party. Such terms used to be part
of the language of the National Front and BNP.
·
Although only a minor matter,
David’s attitude to the use of the term ‘zios’ is also significant. He said that ‘You don’t do that by insulting
them as “zios”…. On this specific issue the JSG completely agrees with the
view expressed by Shami Chakrabarti in her report.’
Although only a minor matter,
David’s attitude to the use of the term ‘zios’ is also significant. He said that ‘You don’t do that by insulting
them as “zios”…. On this specific issue the JSG completely agrees with the
view expressed by Shami Chakrabarti in her report.’
It is interesting that an
‘anti-Zionist’ group should agree so wholeheartedly with Chakrabarti. Chakrabarti referred in her report to peoples’ ‘rich range
of self-descriptions of both Jewishness or Zionism’ Chakrabarti also advised people ‘to use the
term “Zionist” advisedly, carefully and never euphemistically or as
part of personal abuse.’ Chakrabarti
clearly understands nothing about Zionism, a rapacious and racist settler
colonial movement. To her it is part of our
multi-cultural tapestry. ‘Zio’ is of
course short for ‘Zionist’ – and both Jews and non-Jews are Zionists. It cannot therefore be a racist term. The whole question of ‘Zios’ is a deliberate
Zionist talking point, part of the invention of a synthetic
‘anti-Semitism’.
‘anti-Zionist’ group should agree so wholeheartedly with Chakrabarti. Chakrabarti referred in her report to peoples’ ‘rich range
of self-descriptions of both Jewishness or Zionism’ Chakrabarti also advised people ‘to use the
term “Zionist” advisedly, carefully and never euphemistically or as
part of personal abuse.’ Chakrabarti
clearly understands nothing about Zionism, a rapacious and racist settler
colonial movement. To her it is part of our
multi-cultural tapestry. ‘Zio’ is of
course short for ‘Zionist’ – and both Jews and non-Jews are Zionists. It cannot therefore be a racist term. The whole question of ‘Zios’ is a deliberate
Zionist talking point, part of the invention of a synthetic
‘anti-Semitism’.
It is a great pity that the JSG, by its attitude to the
anti-Semitism witch-hunt in the Labour Party and its association with Jon
Lansman wishes to sully its past record.
anti-Semitism witch-hunt in the Labour Party and its association with Jon
Lansman wishes to sully its past record.
Tony Greenstein
Posted in Blog
