Hello,

Thanks for joining the campaign to keep freedom of speech on Israel in the Labour Party. I hope you won’t mind, but after feedback I’ve changed the text of the petition slightly, and changed the photo from the BDS demo to four examples of leading Israeli politicians denigrating Palestinians.

A friend in Labour suggested amending the petition and said to remove:

“- the objection to the "double standards" example - I think the focus of the petition should be clear and you shouldn't try to fight too many battles in one go;

- the footnotes - I think too much additional information muddies the waters, and, as above, removes the focus from the central example you are trying to challenge; 

- the reference to there being no particular problem with anti-Semitism in the  Labour Party - I think there quite clearly is a distrust from many Jewish people towards the party and that in itself is a particular problem;

- any predictions about what the JLM may or may not do - I think it is wrong to be referring to the JLM in such bad faith.

Finally, I think your statement about Muslim terrorism is an unnecessary addition which can open up a whole other can of worms - as I said before: I do not think it is wise to be having multiple difficult discussions at once. “

I would very much appreciate feedback as to whether I should do any of these things. If you have any view one way or another, please email me at postmaster@roseburn32.plus.com

I’m sure you would be interested to know what was said at the NEC meeting. The Times was predictably anti-Corbyn in its coverage of 5th Sept, but it is useful to know more about both what he tried to do and the leaked dossier on the 45 Party members accused of anti-Semitism. You can read it’s coverage here.

I’ve listed links to articles underlining the racist nature of Israel in my website mentioned at the end of the petition. It’s a kind of repository for those remaining to be convinced.

If you want to help promote the petition, please feel free to knock up flyers or write letters to the newspapers explaining why you’ve signed it. Newspapers won’t print the full Change.org link, but they will print a tiny url, because it doesn’t use up much space. So please invite readers to find the petition at www.tinyurl.com/israelihra and hopefully we’ll boost our numbers. Obviously left-leaning publications are best, because only Party members can sign.

The greatest way to promote the petition though, would be hand out flyers at national conference in Liverpool running from 23rd to 26th Sept; Conference venue is the ACC Liverpool, and the Conference hotel will be the Pullman. Is anyone going? I can get A5 flyers together – 5,000 will cost £120, but it will be worth it. Please email me at postmaster@roseburn32.plus.com if you are going and want to help. I can send you some to give out

Best wishes

Pete Gregson, Edinburgh