The madness at LAW has spread to JVL. LAZIR (Labour Against Zionist Islamophobic Racism) is certainly causing waves. When a few of us in Scotland came to the conclusion that we needed to stop the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) undermining Corbyn and poisoning the Labour Party with bogus anti-Semitism claims, we realised that the only way to do this was by getting them disaffiliated from the Party. They, along with the Labour Friends of Israel, were, as “The Lobby” video shows, getting funding from Israel in order to undermine support for BDS and the cause of Palestine.

We came to the conclusion that if Labour needed a voice for Jews in the Party, then that voice should not be that of the JLM but rather Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL), who state they are against the “wrongs and injustice for Palestinians” and “oppose attempts to widen the definition of antisemitism beyond its meaning of hostility towards or discrimination against Jews as Jews.”.

So far, so good. I immediately wrote to JVL seeking comment on our setting up LAZIR. We felt a body was needed that was utterly focussed on ridding the Party of Zionist influences, because, as events in Israel have shown, Zionism is racism. And those Zionists have undue influence in our Party.

However, all my emails were ignored. I know they were getting through, because I have a whole bunch of contact emails for Leah, Mike and co. They supported me when I was getting expelled from the GMB, and their “Gentile wing” co-ordinated by Mike Cushman, had written me this great letter of support from Free Speech on Israel. So, we had a relationship. And I had been a member of JVL since September 2018; although I am not Jewish, they let non-Jews join; I joined as soon as Labour adopted the IHRA definition.

Around the time LAZIR was launched in early May, I discovered a Facebook post by JVL saying that “Jewish Voice for Labour has become aware of an initiative called Labour Against Zionist Islamophobic Racism (LAZIR) which has made reference to the role of JVL.  

We wish to make clear that we were not consulted on the use of our name and are not associated with this venture.”

Now, this was clearly untrue. I had made many efforts to contact them. It was clear there was mischief-making afoot, so I posted a clarification on my website, along with a copy of the email I had sent on the 3rd May to Leah, Mike et al (see it at http://www.kidsnotsuits.com/lazir-and-jvl/ ).

I then actually met one of the JVL Executive, Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, at the Liberty AGM in Leeds. (We are both Liberty members and we are both trying to get Liberty to act over the loss of freedom of speech on Israel. I was handing out this flyer with Jonathan's 2018 motion on it). I had a good chat with Jonathan. We agreed that JVL needed to be careful about upsetting the JLM, lest the JLM train its guns on them, too, as “self-hating Jews”. I explained that LAZIR was content to take the flak that JLM would no doubt fire, but that all we really wanted was for JVL not to disavow us. He said he was quite unaware there had been a FB posting suggesting that very thing. I said “please Jonathan, speak to the JVL Exec- try and get them not to attack or dismiss LAZIR. It is counter-productive.” He went off, saying he would consider the matter.

At that point I did not think I would get to the JVL AGM, oweing to a previous commitment with the scouts (my kids are in the scouts). When someone else volunteered to do the cooking for their summer camp, I was very pleased to be freed so that I might go to the JVL AGM. I emailed and was pleased when I got JVL confirmation that I was on the attendance list. I excitedly wrote to Mike and Leah saying that I was going to come to the AGM. I explained that I would be hoping to promote LAZIR and explained that I would very much like to table this motion:

“This AGM notes the establishment of campaign group LAZIR (Labour Against Zionist Islamophobic Racism) and is sympathetic to its aims and policies. JVL will work with LAZIR to help further the cause of the Palestinian people in creating peace in the middle east.”

I concluded by saying “What do you say? I can easily find a seconder, but I will not table it if you think it would cause JVL grief.”

My email is here http://www.kidsnotsuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JVL-email-22nd-May.pdf

I sent them this at 4am on the 22nd May. Around 12 hours later I finally got a much-awaited email from Leah. But it was not the email I was hoping for. She explained I was being suspended from JVL and barred from the AGM.

I am nonplussed. The full text of Leah’s email is below. I appeal to my fellow JVL members to try and do something about this. The world is going nuts and all this banning and expelling does nothing for Palestine. Please write to Leah at chair@jvl.org.uk, with a copy to info@jvl.org.uk and a copy to me at postmaster@roseburn32.plus.com

I really want to be able to attend the AGM. I have booked and paid for my tickets, the children will be with their mother and I have arranged a place to stay in London. Please ask Leah to drop this absurd suspension.

Best wishes

Pete Gregson, Edinburgh

-          The email suspending my JVL membership -

From: Jewish Voice for Labour <comms@jvl.org.uk>
Sent: 22 May 2019 17:48
To: 'Peter Gregson' <chuff.chuff@outlook.com>
Subject: Your membership of JVL

Dear Peter Gregson

I am writing on behalf of the Officers of Jewish Voice for Labour to inform you that we are suspending you from membership and, consequently, withdrawing your invitation to attend the AGM in June.  This is because we believe that your actions are at variance with the statement of principles (see below) that all members sign up to. In particular we believe that we need to investigate some of your posts including,  as has been discussed publicly,  references to the holocaust. 

Further some of your actions have been damaging to JVL In planning to launch a new grouping, you included proposals about JVL's role in the Labour Party, which are not ones we have promoted, without gaining our assent. 

Also in your public post LAZIR and JVL – Kids Not Suits.com/ you assert things about the actions of individual officers of JVL of which you have no knowledge and which you had no right to publish. 

We will be investigating further and will let you know as soon as possible about the next steps. 

We shall, of course, reimburse any reasonable and evidenced expenses you have already incurred in relation to next month's meeting.  

Your sincerely

 Leah Levane

Co chair JVL on behalf of JVL Officers

JVL Statement of Principles

Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) is a network for Jewish members of the Labour Party.

Our political priorities are universal human rights and dignity; justice for all; freedom of expression; and democracy in the Labour Party.

Our mission is to contribute to making the Labour Party an open, democratic and inclusive party, encouraging all ethnic groups and cultures to join and participate freely. As such we aim to strengthen the party in its opposition to all forms of racism including antisemitism, broadening the party’s appeal to all sections of British society. We take inspiration from the long history of Jewish involvement in the socialist and trade-union movements and in antiracist and antifascist struggles, including the anti-apartheid and civil-rights movements.

We stand for rights and justice for Jewish people everywhere, and against wrongs and injustice to Palestinians and other oppressed people anywhere. We uphold the right of supporters of justice for Palestinians to engage in solidarity activities, such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. We oppose attempts to widen the definition of antisemitism beyond its meaning of hostility towards or discrimination against Jews as Jews.

At a time of profound divisions in Jewish communities, JVL offers a space to explore and debate the many questions (personal, social, cultural, political) that are important to us as progressive Labour Jews.

We will work where appropriate with existing groups involved with issues of common concern from an internationalist and anti-racist perspective.