Jewish Socialists’ Group statement in support of Dr Moshe Machover
Dr Moshe Machover – a lifelong Israeli socialist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist, who has lived in Britain since 1968 – has been expelled from the Labour Party.
Dr Moshe Machover – a lifelong Israeli socialist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist, who has lived in Britain since 1968 – has been expelled from the Labour Party accused of writing “an apparently antisemitic article” and accused of “involvement and support for” two organisations, the Labour Party Marxists and the Communist Party of Great Britain.
The accusation regarding the “antisemitic” article references the controversial, flawed definition of antisemitism, which the JSG and many others on the left have challenged.
Moshe Machover has been a friend of the Jewish Socialists’ Group for more than 30 years. He has spoken at JSG meetings, written for Jewish Socialist magazine, and participated in campaigns for social justice with us. We know him as an outstanding and sophisticated thinker and analyst, a fighter for human rights and social justice, and a consistent opponent of all reactionary ideologies and actions.
The JSG is not affiliated to the Labour Party but we have strongly criticised the right wing-led campaign to smear left wing activists as antisemites.
The Labour Party has a duty to take action against genuine examples of antisemitism and other forms of racism and bigotry. In line with the Chakrabarti Inquiry, however, we:
• favour education rather than heavy-handed disciplinary measures
• expect transparent, fair and just process with regard to complaints against members
• support Shami Chakrabarti’s desire to encourage respectful free speech within the Party.
The JSG chooses to support individuals suspended or expelled from the party on a case by case basis. In this case we fully support Moshe Machover and call for his expulsion to be rescinded and for his immediate reinstatement as a member of the Labour Party.
The JSG recognises the article by Moshe Machover, that has been cited, as a critique of the political ideology of Zionism, not of Jews. Indeed the article exposes antisemitic ideas.
The JSG rejects any McCarthyite-style attempt to expel members for alleged “involvement and support for” other left groups on the basis of writing articles and attending and participating in meetings. It is common practice for Labour members of all levels to speak and participate in events of other groups, and have articles published, representing their individual viewpoints, in a range of publications.
Solidarity with Moshe Machover!
Motion to Hampstead and Kilburn CLP GC, from West Hampstead and Fortune Green Branch, passed on 4th October 2017:
This West Hampstead and Fortune Green branch /
Hampstead and Kilburn CLP is outraged that:
. Professor Emeritus Moshe Machover has been expelled from the
Party. Professor Machover is Jewish and Israeli, the distinguished
co-founder of Matzpen, the socialist organisation which from the
60s to the 80s brought together Arab and Jewish opposition to the
illegal occupation of Palestine.
. The Head of Disputes has accused Professor Machover of writing
an “apparently anti-Semiitic article” according to the new IHRA
definition, and further accused him of “membership or support for
another political party, or a political organisation with incompatible
aims to the Labour Party.
This West Hampstead and Fortune Green branch /
Hampstead and Kilburn CLP notes that:
. The Chakrabarti inequiry found that the party’s “… complaints and
disciplinary procedures … lacked sufficient transparency, uniformity
and expertise…” and called for “the vital legal principles of due
process (or natural justice) and proportionality”
. The IHRA definition is being monitored by Camden Council to
ensure that it is not used to stifle free expression and criticism of
Israeli policies.
. Professor Machover who denies the accusations, has not been
given the opportunity to challenge either the accusation of anti-
Semitism nor his alleged support for another party or organisation.
. This expulsion is a frightening precedent in a party which is
working to be more democratic and called for, in the words of its
leader Jeremy Corbyn, ‘support to end the oppression of the
Palestinian people, the 50-year occupation and the illegal
settlement expansion’.
This West Hampstead and Fortune Green branch /
Hampstead and Kilburn CLP therefore calls for:
. Professor Machover’s expulsion to be immediately rescinded and
for any allegations against him to be investigated in accordance
with due process so that he is given the opportunity to challenge
the claims of the Head of Disputes.
I hope MM will be encouraged to undertake a speaking tour and defend himself in public – this a good opportunity to support and practise free speech on Israel and on the Labour Party. I see that Zionist prppagandists are claiming UN authority for the rubbish IHRA ‘definition’ of antisemitism. FSOI has far better one.
Good luck, Moshe!
Ben Cosin (secretary of Hampstead and H ighgate CLP 1991-1999)
Labour’s “Head of disputes” should be expelled for swallowing the never-ending propaganda pimped by useful Zionist stooges in Parliament and media.
With so many seemingly in bed with Israel, by all definition a racist state where ethnic cleansing, land theft, illegal occupation, brutality, humiliation, torture, the murdering and maiming of hundreds of Palestinian children et cetera is carried out with seeming impunity then the question should be asked:
“Whose loyalty do these shameful MPs really support, that of the British people and Britain or the “gang of amoral thugs” as the late Sir Gerald Kaufman said of the Israeli leadership during the murderous attack on Gaza during “Operation Cast lead”.?
Nothing of course has changed for Christian and Muslim Palestinian alike other than more suffering, as in Gaza and more killing of children by the state that flag waving stooges, for whatever perverse reason ally themselves to without question.
It is a disgrace that sincere, honourable people such as Professor Moshe Machover can be expelled from Labour under false lies.
As a friend of the Palestinian people and leader of the Labour party Jeremy Corbyn has to stand up and condemn those trying to cause false allegations of anti-Semitism where there is none.
We know the reasons why and who the chief culprits are and they have to be exposed.
I will submit a motion too to Leabridge Ward this evening to go forward to Hackney North CLp, solidarity with Moshe, Simon Lynn