Jackie Walker and her betrayal
by Momentum’s Leaders
by Momentum’s Leaders
Dear James
Schneider and Jon Lansman,
Schneider and Jon Lansman,
We are Jewish members of
the Labour Party. We are writing to you
concerning reports in the press, which you have not denied, that Momentum’s
Executive Committee is preparing to throw Jackie Walker to the wolves at its
meeting next Monday. The reason for this
is because of the wholly false anti-Semitism accusations that have been leveled
against her.
the Labour Party. We are writing to you
concerning reports in the press, which you have not denied, that Momentum’s
Executive Committee is preparing to throw Jackie Walker to the wolves at its
meeting next Monday. The reason for this
is because of the wholly false anti-Semitism accusations that have been leveled
against her.
We urge you not to remove Jackie
as Vice-Chair of Momentum. When a comrade
is under attack then you defend them and extend the hand of solidarity. An injury to one is an injury to all. Betraying a comrade in order to ease the pressure
on you is contrary to all Labour movement traditions of solidarity. The Jewish Labour Movement [JLM] will not
stop at Jackie Walker. They will look
for new targets for their ‘anti-Semitism’ witch hunt.
as Vice-Chair of Momentum. When a comrade
is under attack then you defend them and extend the hand of solidarity. An injury to one is an injury to all. Betraying a comrade in order to ease the pressure
on you is contrary to all Labour movement traditions of solidarity. The Jewish Labour Movement [JLM] will not
stop at Jackie Walker. They will look
for new targets for their ‘anti-Semitism’ witch hunt.
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| Momentum groups rally to support Jackie |
The JLM is not an ordinary
affiliated socialist society. It has a close relationship
with Israeli state agencies, for example its newly
appointed Director, Ella Rose, came directly from the Israeli Embassy. The ‘anti-Semitism witchhunt’ over the last
year has been a carefully orchestrated and co-ordinated affair alongside papers
like the Daily Mail. Jackie is but the latest target for those who
are using ‘anti-Semitism’ as a means of attacking Jeremy Corbyn.
affiliated socialist society. It has a close relationship
with Israeli state agencies, for example its newly
appointed Director, Ella Rose, came directly from the Israeli Embassy. The ‘anti-Semitism witchhunt’ over the last
year has been a carefully orchestrated and co-ordinated affair alongside papers
like the Daily Mail. Jackie is but the latest target for those who
are using ‘anti-Semitism’ as a means of attacking Jeremy Corbyn.
The JLM invited to Labour
Party Conference representatives of Ha Avodah, the Israeli Labour Party. This is a party that presided over the
forcible expulsion of ¾ million Palestinian refugees and placed Israel’s Arabs
under military rule until 1966. The ILP initiated
the settlements in the West Bank.
Earlier this year, its leader Isaac Herzog stated
that the ILP mustn’t be identified as an ‘Arab lovers’ party. If Jackie Walker had talked about ‘Jew lovers’
then the charges of anti-Semitism against her would be justified. Herzog later
described his ‘nightmare’ of waking up to find that Israel had an Arab Prime
Minister. If Jackie had spoken of her
fears that Britain might one day have a Jewish Prime Minister then she would
rightly be called an anti-Semite. If
anyone should be called out for racism it is the JLM.
Party Conference representatives of Ha Avodah, the Israeli Labour Party. This is a party that presided over the
forcible expulsion of ¾ million Palestinian refugees and placed Israel’s Arabs
under military rule until 1966. The ILP initiated
the settlements in the West Bank.
Earlier this year, its leader Isaac Herzog stated
that the ILP mustn’t be identified as an ‘Arab lovers’ party. If Jackie Walker had talked about ‘Jew lovers’
then the charges of anti-Semitism against her would be justified. Herzog later
described his ‘nightmare’ of waking up to find that Israel had an Arab Prime
Minister. If Jackie had spoken of her
fears that Britain might one day have a Jewish Prime Minister then she would
rightly be called an anti-Semite. If
anyone should be called out for racism it is the JLM.
 |
| Jackie said nothing about Zionist misuse of the Holocaust that Israeli papers don’t say |
Jews who are not Zionists
cannot join the JLM because of its affiliation to the World Zionist
Organisation and its Jerusalem Programme, which speaks of ‘the centrality of the State of Israel … in the life of the (Jewish)
nation’. The ‘Jewish nation’ means Jews in Israel or the
Diaspora. This includes ourselves and Jon
Lansman. The idea that we are Jewish not British nationals and Israel
is the centre of our lives is a deeply anti-Semitic one.
cannot join the JLM because of its affiliation to the World Zionist
Organisation and its Jerusalem Programme, which speaks of ‘the centrality of the State of Israel … in the life of the (Jewish)
nation’. The ‘Jewish nation’ means Jews in Israel or the
Diaspora. This includes ourselves and Jon
Lansman. The idea that we are Jewish not British nationals and Israel
is the centre of our lives is a deeply anti-Semitic one.
The Jerusalem programme also
speaks of ‘Settling the country as an
expression of practical Zionism.’ Settlement means occupying the West
Bank and Golan Heights as well as Judaising Israel. That is why Israel is a racist settler
colonial state.
speaks of ‘Settling the country as an
expression of practical Zionism.’ Settlement means occupying the West
Bank and Golan Heights as well as Judaising Israel. That is why Israel is a racist settler
colonial state.
Last Monday the JLM held an
‘anti-racism training’ session at Labour’s conference. The session was filmed without the agreement
of participants and contrary to all ethical considerations. It was then leaked to the media in order to
wage a vicious racist attack on Jackie Walker and other Jewish dissidents
present.
‘anti-racism training’ session at Labour’s conference. The session was filmed without the agreement
of participants and contrary to all ethical considerations. It was then leaked to the media in order to
wage a vicious racist attack on Jackie Walker and other Jewish dissidents
present.
 |
| Is Israel’s Ha’aretz also anti-Semitic? |
Even before the ‘training
session’ the JLM had been conducting a political lynching of
Jackie. It had refused to accept that the false accusations made
against Jackie, that she had alleged that Jews were the main financiers of the
slave trade, were untrue, despite her being acquitted of these allegations last
May.
session’ the JLM had been conducting a political lynching of
Jackie. It had refused to accept that the false accusations made
against Jackie, that she had alleged that Jews were the main financiers of the
slave trade, were untrue, despite her being acquitted of these allegations last
May.
In the Jewish Chronicle of
24th September Jeremy Newmark, Chair of JLM was quoted as saying
of John McDonnell’s appearance on a platform with Jackie that
24th September Jeremy Newmark, Chair of JLM was quoted as saying
of John McDonnell’s appearance on a platform with Jackie that
“The Shadow
Chancellor … must explain his defence of Walker which is inconsistent with his
call for zero tolerance (of antisemitism). This raises serious questions. Our
members expect him to explain himself.’
Chancellor … must explain his defence of Walker which is inconsistent with his
call for zero tolerance (of antisemitism). This raises serious questions. Our
members expect him to explain himself.’
What
happened at the session was all too predictable. Having the JLM hold
an anti-racist training course was like the General Medical Council asking Harold
Shipman to organise a course on medical ethics. This was why the
Chakrabarti Report stated that:
happened at the session was all too predictable. Having the JLM hold
an anti-racist training course was like the General Medical Council asking Harold
Shipman to organise a course on medical ethics. This was why the
Chakrabarti Report stated that:
‘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.’
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.’
Instead of stabbing Jackie in
the back and running scared of the media’s faked concern for ‘antisemitism’ you
would be better spending your time finding out why the JLM was allowed to
undertake an ‘anti-racist training session’ in the first place.
the back and running scared of the media’s faked concern for ‘antisemitism’ you
would be better spending your time finding out why the JLM was allowed to
undertake an ‘anti-racist training session’ in the first place.
 |
| The Jewish Labour Movement’s Political Lynching of Jackie Walker |
What Jackie Walker said may
have enraged the Zionists, for whom the holocaust serves primarily as an
ideological justification for Israel’s crimes, but it was not anti-Semitic.
have enraged the Zionists, for whom the holocaust serves primarily as an
ideological justification for Israel’s crimes, but it was not anti-Semitic.
It is a fact that Holocaust
Memorial Day has focused almost exclusively on the Nazi holocaust and has
ignored the extermination of the Disabled and the Gypsies. The doyen
of Zionist holocaust historians, Professor Yehuda Bauer 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)]. As the late Elie Wiesel put
it, to compare the sufferings of others with Jews was a “betrayal of Jewish history”. [Elie Wiesel, Against Silence, v. iii,
146.] The truth may be uncomfortable but
it is not anti-Semitic.
Memorial Day has focused almost exclusively on the Nazi holocaust and has
ignored the extermination of the Disabled and the Gypsies. The doyen
of Zionist holocaust historians, Professor Yehuda Bauer 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)]. As the late Elie Wiesel put
it, to compare the sufferings of others with Jews was a “betrayal of Jewish history”. [Elie Wiesel, Against Silence, v. iii,
146.] The truth may be uncomfortable but
it is not anti-Semitic.
 |
| The JLM deleted the highlighted sentence which case doubt on the Jewishness of those who oppose Zionism |
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.’
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.’
We are seriously disturbed
by the report in the Guardian Momentum
likely to oust Jackie Walker over Holocaust remarks and a similar report in
the Independent that ‘Senior members of
Momentum are “fuming” at her remarks’. It is your duty not to
betray comrades.
by the report in the Guardian Momentum
likely to oust Jackie Walker over Holocaust remarks and a similar report in
the Independent that ‘Senior members of
Momentum are “fuming” at her remarks’. It is your duty not to
betray comrades.
The JLM voted 92-4% in
favour of Owen Smith. Anti-Semitism is a
weapon to attack the left. Any betrayal
of Jackie Walker will be unacceptable to grassroots Momentum supporters who are
sick to the back teeth of the cynical use of anti-Semitism to ward off
criticism of Israel.
favour of Owen Smith. Anti-Semitism is a
weapon to attack the left. Any betrayal
of Jackie Walker will be unacceptable to grassroots Momentum supporters who are
sick to the back teeth of the cynical use of anti-Semitism to ward off
criticism of Israel.
 |
| The JLM’s Vice Chair & Director came straight from the Israeli Embassy |
We also understand that Jackie
Walker has not even been invited to the meeting which it is intended will
dismiss her. What kind of democracy is
this? Because of the racist abuse she has received from the JLM’s
supporters Jackie has had to suspend her Twitter account. Not being
an MP, this kind of abuse will not make the
headlines. Jackie is suffering extreme
abuse which the JLM has given a green light to.
Abuse which openly states that Black people can’t be Jewish. If you attack Jackie you will be a party to this
abuse.
Walker has not even been invited to the meeting which it is intended will
dismiss her. What kind of democracy is
this? Because of the racist abuse she has received from the JLM’s
supporters Jackie has had to suspend her Twitter account. Not being
an MP, this kind of abuse will not make the
headlines. Jackie is suffering extreme
abuse which the JLM has given a green light to.
Abuse which openly states that Black people can’t be Jewish. If you attack Jackie you will be a party to this
abuse.
We are writing to you to
demand that you stand up to the JLM when it demands the head of a well
respected Black and Jewish anti-racist. You will not be forgiven if
you betray her.
demand that you stand up to the JLM when it demands the head of a well
respected Black and Jewish anti-racist. You will not be forgiven if
you betray her.
Yours
sincerely,
sincerely,
Graham
Bash Hackney North CLP
Bash Hackney North CLP
Haim
Bresheeth Hornsey
and Wood Green
Brian Chinnery Enfield Southgate CLP
Bresheeth Hornsey
and Wood Green
Brian Chinnery Enfield Southgate CLP
Mark
Elf Barking CLP
Elf Barking CLP
Tansy Feltis
Kenny
Fryde Cambridge
CLP
Lynda Gilbert Milton Keynes North CLP
Kenny
Fryde Cambridge
CLP
Lynda Gilbert Milton Keynes North CLP
Tony
Greenstein Brighton & Hove
District Labour Party
Greenstein Brighton & Hove
District Labour Party
Abe
Hayeem Harrow East CLP
Hayeem Harrow East CLP
Helen
Marks Riverside CLP
Marks Riverside CLP
Elizabeth
Morley Ceredigion CLP
Morley Ceredigion CLP
Diana
Neslen Ilford South
Constituency Labour Party
Neslen Ilford South
Constituency Labour Party
Dr
Brian Robinson Milton Keynes South
CLP
Brian Robinson Milton Keynes South
CLP
Leon
Rosselson Brent Momentum
Rosselson Brent Momentum
David
Selzer City of Chester CLP
Selzer City of Chester CLP
Sam
Semoff Riverside CLP
Semoff Riverside CLP
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| The Jewish Labour Movements all-Jewish all-White delegation to the LP Conference |
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| One of the many vile racist tweets Jackie has received – being Black Zionists say she can’t be Jewish |
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