Labour Party branch to debate allying with controversial Jewish group

“If the local branch decides to affiliate to JVL, the next move will then be for the entire [Hornsey and Wood Green] Constituency Labour Party to vote [on affiliation].”

JVL was launched as a left-wing opposition group to the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) at last year’s Labour Party conference.

The party has been gripped by accusations it failed to stop the spread of antisemitism within its ranks since Jeremy Corbyn became leader. 

JVL is chaired by Jenny Manson, a long-standing member of Jews For Justice for Palestinians.

The group has so far attracted only a few hundred supporters with most Jewish Labour members preferring to join the JLM after Mr Corbyn became leader of the party.

The JVL’s co-chair is anti-Israel critic Leah Levane, who also goes under the name D’vorah Leah.

Ms Levane supported Elleanne Green, the founder of Facebook group Palestine Live after it was revealed members were posting antisemitic comments. She consoled “Poor Elleanne”.

The Labour Party in the borough of Haringey has been rocked by several allegations of antisemitism from long--time Jewish party members.

Last December, three members of the local Crouch End branch pulled out of selection for local council elections blaming “factional politics”.

The Liberal Democrats took all three council seats in Crouch End from Labour in last month’s election.