CLPs affiliate to Jewish Voice for Labour

WIRRAL SOUTH AND WALLASEY CLPS are among the latest to affiliate to Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL). JVL has a central role to play both in dealing with antisemitism as well as false allegations of antisemitism. We don’t receive money from the state of Israel nor its agencies. Unlike the Jewish Labour Movement, we are not affiliated to Zionist organisations – and we call on the UK to immediately suspend its arms trade with Israel.

JVL was formed one year ago as a network for Jewish members of the Labour Party, like myself. We stand for rights and justice for Jewish people everywhere, and against wrongs and injustice to Palestinians and other oppressed people anywhere.

To strengthen JVL, Labour members, branches, CLPs and organisations can affiliate. To find out how, click here. Bringing a motion to affiliate to JVL is a catalyst for a good discussion about what to do about antisemitism.

JVL calls for disciplinary hearings to be paused until a due process has been established based on principles of natural justice - what I call “Jew process”. JVL campaigns with others to overturn Marc Wadsworth’s unfair expulsion and to defend Jackie Walker - who is black and Jewish.

Shami Chakrabati’s report placed antisemitism where it should be - not on a pedestal but alongside other forms of racism. I am concerned about the privileging of racism against Jews as more worthy of resources than other forms of discrimination such as against black people, Muslim people and migrants. These abuses of power are measured in detentions, deportations and deaths - so let’s have a sense of proportion and perspective in the current situation.

Of course, every type of racism is different, is wrong, and needs a time and a place for discussion. And privileging one group over another group is divisive. It’s bad for the many as well as the Jews.

• Jo Bird was Labour candidate for Eastham in the May 2018 council elections, increasing Labour’s vote share from 24% to 36% - the best result on the Wirral.