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Rabbis write to Labour MP to protest local party's decision to affiliate with Jewish Voice for Labour
'JVL has consistently downplayed and in certain circumstances denied antisemitism in the party'
October 31, 2018 09:50
'JVL has consistently downplayed and in certain circumstances denied antisemitism in the party'
October 31, 2018 09:50Rabbis have written to their Labour MP to convey their “dismay and strong opposition” to her constituency party’s decision to affiliate with the pro-Corbyn, fringe Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) group.
The letter, which was sent to Catherine West, MP for the Hornsey & Wood Green constituency in North London, and Celia Dignan, chair of the local Labour party, was from Rabbi David Mason of Muswell Hill United Synagogue, Rabbi Nicky Liss of Highgate United Synagogue, as well as the chairs and Board of Deputies representatives of both shuls.
In the letter, they said JVL “opposed the adoption of the IHRA definition (of antisemitism) by the party and has given support to individuals who are no longer in the party due to their repeated offensive statements.
“JVL has consistently downplayed and in certain circumstances denied antisemitism in the party and instead characterised any complaints as a 'smear' or part of a 'witch hunt'.
"Indeed JVL seems to go further and try and deny the significance of community and the authority of the community's institutions.”
Last week, the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency Labour party, the largest in the country, voted to affiliate with the fringe group, with 50 voting for, 29 against and 13 abstentions.
One Jewish member present described feeling “distraught and angry” at the vote, but said: “We went down fighting.”
Another Jewish member of the party resigned in protest.
The rabbis' letter continued: “Whilst JVL may have little traction with the Jewish community, we recognise members have the right to join, attend or ally with JVL even though we find its mode of working extremely problematic and where they act in breach of the party's code of conduct they should be dealt with accordingly.
“But given the recent context in the relationship between the wider Jewish community and Labour, we feel that affiliation is a different matter and allowing such a motion to pass is reckless and irresponsible.
“As our constituency Labour MP and party chair, you have both for a good while talked about the importance of dialogue between the local party and the local Jewish community.
"This dialogue would look to find a way to create greater mutual understanding rather as an alternative to passing incendiary and factional motions.
“That has not happened and indeed dialogue as an alternative to the motion was rejected by the meeting. Accordingly we fear that the time has passed now for such dialogue to take place.”
Speaking to the JC, Rabbi Mason, who was present at the CLP meeting where members voted to affiliate with JVL, described it as “very uncomfortable… it was not a pleasant atmosphere at all.”
He described the current situation in the Hornsey and Wood Green CLP as a “microcosm of the relationship between the Labour party and the Jewish community".
He added: “It’s at a low ebb, at a point probably when there isn’t much dialogue that can happen, and we feel that steps now need to come from decent people within the local Labour party.
“My MP and I have a very good relationship with, I sympathise with a lot of what she does locally, but I think we need greater leadership now on this issue.”
Rabbi Mason said “a significant number” of his congregants were “previously Labour members who have felt so uncomfortable over positions in the party that they’ve had to leave”.
He added he was not sure what the local party’s response would be to the letter.
“Obviously there are a range of steps that the local party could take, if they take seriously the damage that this has done to the relationship with the Jewish community,” he said.
“I’m not sure I really need to tell them what they should do. Obviously to disaffiliate [from JVL] would be ideal. Whether they’re going to be able to do that, of course, given the politics, is another matter.
“We would be happy to work with them and advise them as to what would be appropriate to rebuild trust between local Labour here and the Jewish community.”
Responding to the letter, Ms West said:
"As I have done since I became the MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, I will continue to promote good relations with the Jewish community and strongly support the work of Haringey’s faith forum, led by Rabbi Mason, in pursuing that aim.
"I remain committed to helping Labour rebuild this relationship, which can only be achieved through dialogue and by working together to restore trust and understanding.
"I continue to believe that an urgent meeting between the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) leadership and Jewish community leaders is vital to such engagement and dialogue”
