Back in 2021, fourteen members of the Peterborough Labour Party were suspended following claims they circulated and commented on antisemitic material on social media.
This was only two years after the former Labour MP for Peterborough, Lisa Forbes, was criticised for similar activity. My own party also had questions to answer as a Conservative councillor underwent a period of suspension.
I called this a stain on my city. I said we must lift this shadow over politics and invited the Jewish Leadership Council to Peterborough to help address this issue. They conducted training sessions with city councillors.
Many would be astonished to see me welcome one of these former Labour councillors into my office. As your reporter stated to me - it was ‘puzzling’ to say the least. I feel I owe your readers (and the Jewish community) an explanation.
There does lurk a dark tolerance - and sometimes open expression - of antisemitism on Facebook from a small minority. Peterborough is no exception. At the most extreme end, you get sickening holocaust denial from people.
It also sometimes stems from criticism of the actions of the Israeli Government. But this all too easily leads to holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. This aligns clearly with the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Similarly, you may often see people demanding Israel act to a set of standards not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. Again, this would meet the IHRA definition.
Councillors should be showing leadership and never engaging in these types of damaging discussions.
The former councillor who now supports me is Ansar Ali. I was aware he was one of the councillors initially suspended by Labour - but along with every other councillor - this was subsequently lifted, and all undertook training by the Jewish Labour Movement. He left the Labour Party at the start of the year when a number resigned their membership, or as a councillor (including the group leader), over internal selection issues.
Ansar has been a magistrate, a senior professional council officer, a county and city Councillor, and respected community activist for many years. This does not give him a free pass. Indeed, I should have checked closely the reasons for his suspension back in 2021.
But I employed someone part time, for a very specific role, with an otherwise good reputation.
Some of the material he commented on is unacceptable. Stating an article was ‘interesting and thought-provoking’ that asked how many British MPs are working for Israel not only advances stereotypes, it indicates to others there is value in something which is fundamentally anti-Jewish at its core.
Similarly sharing an article about a medal dating back to the Nazi era, bearing a swastika on one face and a Star of David on the reverse was grotesque propaganda used by the Nazis and can never be justified.
Discussing this with Ansar, he regrets deeply this social media activity and now sees clearly why it is antisemitic. In an environment where material such as this (and worse) is being shared openly, he should have known much better.
He believes - as I do - we need to go much further than simply apologising and moving on. I think all councillors in Peterborough need to go through antisemitism training as a matter of course. We have a deserved reputational issue. We owe it to Peterborough to address it.
I know some will disagree with my decision to give Ansar a chance to make amends. People may be disappointed. I understand this.
I fully expect Labour locally will attack me personally and try to suggest we are all the same.
But I am convinced that Ansar will stand with me in the fight against hatred and antisemitism. He will use his experience and mistakes as lessons for others. He will work to bring our city’s diverse communities together based on mutual respect. Ultimately the proof will be in actions, not words, and I look forward to this being demonstrated.
By having his support, I will make a bigger difference than asking him to walk away.
