Open Letter to BDS, the Labour Party, NEC hopefuls

Op-Ed: The right-wing media are loving Labour party tussles that have surfaced since Jeremy Corbyn was elected party leader on September 12, 2015. But all too often it seems there are some within the party, and not just the rank and file, that are lapping it up if not actively encouraging it. This has led to open letters in Tory supporting publications, as well as others that lean to the left, attacking Mr Corbyn and aiming to undermine him at every opportunity.

An internal struggle to get control of the NEC, Labour's National Executive Committee, a body that decides the direction and policies of the party is underway.

And the state of Israel could be playing a part, one way or another.

Not much of the above sits well with this long time Labour voter.

She like so many ordinary working class voters feels uncomfortable simply when she hears career politicians speaking about reconnecting with the working class as if this section of society is alien to them.

There was a time when working class people occupied the senior roles of the Labour party and indeed that party's seats in the House of Commons.

The Tory party front benches became a millionaire's row some years ago and at one time it was a similar picture at the other side of the house. But before you think this piece is all about the politics of envy hold that thought. Most working class people admire those who manage to run a successful political career and along the way help the rest of us. The politics of greed is a Tory concept or at least it used to be.

But what about those seeking power in the Labour party that have their own agendas?

This week the Manchester and Leeds Jewish Telegraph reports "GOVERNMENT Minister Jo Johnson has demanded an investigation into antisemitism at Oxford. His call came after the university's Labour Club was accused of having "some kind of problem with Jews"."

"Joseph Edmund Johnson is a Conservative Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Orpington since the general election in May 2010" and he is the brother of one-time London mayor and the man tipped as a possible future PM of the UK Boris Johnson.

The Telegraph continues by saying Oxford’s "co-chairman Alex Chalmers made national headlines this week after he quit the group, accusing it of antisemitism. The 20-year-old history student, who is not Jewish, said he decided to resign after the club endorsed Israel Apartheid Week. Universities Minister Johnson said he was concerned over "reports of intimidation of Jewish students on campuses, which risked curtailing free speech"."

While Israel Apartheid Week would need carefully managing as there will be students of the Jewish faith attending the university it seems a fairly good subject for a student protest and as if in some vague way to protect the free speech of some it is being curbed for others.

Sadly some have taken anti-Semitism to a whole new level recently but that includes Zionist supporters.

Having written and followed reports during the last Israeli occupation of Gaza which resulted in major infrastructure damage to the country and a huge loss of life it is difficult to empathise with the Israeli problem as it stands today.

When you build a huge wall, include the side that faces the sea and prevent fisherman making a living, land grab and extend your borders, tell people of your faith across the world "come on come all" and simply expect other residents to vamoose you are on a hiding to nothing.

Friends of Israel have many groups across the world and especially in the UK. They receive cross party support already.

But it is galling how some are trying to use the Israel Palestine two-state issue to undermine Mr Corbyn.

The timing of the Oxford investigation announcement which ties in with a proposed British government ban on any UK based Israeli trade boycott stinks.

The government has even tried to say that a ban would protect UK national security.

It will of course protect the incomes of those who have a vested interest in such trade and help keep the state of Israel ticking over nicely thank-you while the people of Palestine and Gaza starve.

The ban will be for public procurement but once in place it could of course be extended.

The IBT Times reports "On 17 February the government published new guidelines that aimed to "stop inappropriate procurement boycotts by public authorities". The guidelines have been published under an "open consultation", which means that British citizens are able to respond to the proposal by emailing their suggestions to the Department for Communities and Local Government."

Thousands have reportedly written in to complain about the ban; will all critics be branded anti-semetic?

One man who is angling to be re-elected to the NEC and is gathering support is Luke Akehurst. A piece about him in the Jewish Telegraph begins with this "BEING appointed director of BICOM's We Believe in Israel department was a dream job for Luke Akehurst. Luke, who has just stood down after 12 years as a Labour councillor in Hackney, spent 11 years as a lobbyist for a PR company and worked with Weber Shandwick, largely for the defence industry, as well as for property companies and local authorities. "As a PR consultant, you don't get a lot of choice about your clients," he said. "It was almost my dream job to run a pro-Israel campaigning organisation."

And therein lies the rub.

A man who wants to be part of the body that determines Labour party policy with links to the defence industry and whose dream job was working at the Believe in Israel department.

Support for Israel has declined in the UK but that is not down to any type of religious hate but rather people despairing of what they often see these days as a rogue state.

Young students have always protested-take David Cameron when he was at Oxford and voicing support for hanging Nelson Mandela.

The British electorate needs a Labour party working as one and for issues at home but one that does not support apartheid in the world in my opinion.

From the Jewish Telegraph
Why non-Jewish Luke's family has always given support to Israel
Minister seeks Oxford probe on antisemitism

From the Independent
Palestinians attack Tony Blair for helping Israel strike 'secret peace deal' with Hamas

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