Letter was published in the Guardian on 13 April
Dear Sir or Madam,
As Jewish and non-Jewish members and supporters of the Labour Party, we reject the call from supporters of Zionism and the Labour Right for the expulsion of Ken Livingstone. [Jewish Labour members say Livingstone must go, April 6th]
Those who call for a new disciplinary hearing simply because they didn’t like the conclusions of the previous one, demonstrate their contempt for democracy and due process.
A year ago Livingstone, responding to a question from Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio London, said: ‘Let’s remember when Hitler won his election in 1932, his policy then was that Jews should be moved to Israel. He was supporting Zionism.’
There is nothing whatsoever anti-Semitic about this. Francis Nicosia, the Raul Hilberg Professor of Holocaust Studies at Vermont University wrote in his book Zionism and Anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany (p. 79) that:
‘Throughout the 1930s, as part of the regime’s determination to force Jews to leave Germany, there was almost unanimous support in German government and Nazi party circles for promoting Zionism among German Jews’ Is telling the truth also anti-Semitic?
Support for Zionism can go hand in hand with anti-Semitism. What the campaign against Livingstone is really about is his long-standing support for the Palestinians and his opposition to Zionism and the policies of the Israeli state.
Those who help to throw Livingstone overboard today are preparing the way for Jeremy Corbyn’s removal tomorrow.
Yours faithfully,
Tony Greenstein Brighton Kemptown CLP
Jackie Walker South Thanet CLP
Miriam Margolyes OBE Lambeth & Vauxhall CLP
Professor Richard Seaford Exeter CLP
Professor (emeritus) Moshé Machover Hampstead & Kilburn CLP
Professor Bill Bowring School of Law Birkbeck College
Professor (Emeritus) Jonathan Rosenhead Hackney South and Shoreditch CLP
Professor Haim Bresheeth School of Oriental and African Studies
Dr Tanzil Chowdhury School of Law University of Manchester
(Emeritus Professor) Wade Mansell Thanet North CLP
Professor Chris Knight Streatham CLP
Malcolm Adlington Derby’s Dales CLP
John Airs Riverside CLP
Jane Airs Riverside CLP
sharif ali Preston CLP
Zulfqar Ali Tower Hamlets CLP
Anne Alidina Horsham CLP
Andy Almashoor Exmouth CLP
Dr Ben Alofs Arfon North-West Wales CLP
Ali Alzoubi Oxford CLP
Maureen Arnaiz Bristol South
Dave Atkin York outer CLP
Susan Atkins Sheffield Central CLP
rosalind austin Camberwell and Peckham CLP
Clare N. Ayton-Edwards Kenilworth & Southam CLP
Mohammed Aziz
Mo Aziz Dulwich and West Norwood CLP.
Claude Baesens, Warwick and Leamington Spa CLP
Agnès Baetens Brighton Pavilion CLP
Chris Bailey Cambridge CLP
David Bangs Brighton Kemptown CLP
James Bardsley
Jean Scott-Barr Reading CLP
Terry Barry Dulwich and West Norwood CLP
Roger Barton Bournemouth East CLP
Graham Bash South Thanet CLP
Labina Basit Uxbridge and South Ruislip CLP
Mark Battison
Mary Beaman
Gilly Bean
Janet Beattie York Central CLP
Peter Benson Thurrock CLP
Jillian Beresford Loughborough CLP
David Berkeley Plymouth Sutton and Devonport CLP
Frances Bernstein Leeds East CLP
Marie Berry
Karen Bett Eastwood CLP
Martyn Wood-Bevan Swansea West CLP
Kelvin Bland
Rick Blyth South West Devon CLP
Suzy Blyth South West Devon CLP
Jen Borel Portsmouth CLP
Alfred Bouch Hastings and Rye CLP
Robert Bowles Ashton Under Lyne CLP
Bill Bowring Colchester CLP
Chris Brace York Central CLP
Simon Brace Gedling CLP
Andy Bramley
Julia Bray Dartford CLP
Nicole Brennan
Susan Brock Eastleigh CLP
Dave Brokenshire Cambridge CLP
Alison Brown Walthamstow CLP
Andrew Bryant Bristol West CLP
Professor Ray Bush University of Leeds
Neil Cameron Sheffield Central CLP
Catherine Campbell Stretford & Urmston CLP
Val Cane NUT
David Carrier
Andrew Carter Coldharbour and New Eltham CLP
Avis Carter Brighton, Pavilion CLP
Piers Carter Forest of Dean CLP
Jane Casmally South East Cambridgeshire CLP
G M Casmally South East Cambridgeshire CLP
Maria Cavaliere Luton South CLP
Allan Challenger Gorton CLP
Trevor Challenger Taunton Deane CLP
Stephen Chambers International member
Dave Chappell Fire Brigades Union Exeter
Caroline Charlton Birmingham Hall Green CLP
Helen Chessum
Simon Childs. Preseli Pembrokeshire CLP
Brian Chinnery Enfield Southgate CLP
Sahail Chohan Heeley CLP
Jason Chrisostomou Stevenage CLP
Bob Clark Camberwell & Peckham
Carl Clarke Richmond CLP
Ted Clement-Evans
Steve Coates Bradford South CLP
Steven Cockrill Liverpool Riverside CLP
Sylvia Cohen Momentum
Michael Coleman Hampstead & Kilburn CLP
Lindsey J Colvin
Steve Cooke Stockton North CLP
Andy Coombes
Jan Coombs Hornsey and Wood Green CLP
Max Cowell Banbury Constituency Labour Party
Darrall Cozens Coventry NW CLP
Michael Craig N Ireland Labour Party
Amanda Crawford Labour International
Cristina Soler Crespo
Dr Don Crewe Leeds Beckett University
Paul Crofts Wellingborough CLP
Jackie Crookston South West Norfolk CLP
Gillian Cruddace Easington CLP
Victoria Cuckson Bootle CLP
Leta Cullen GedlingCLP
Mike Cushman Streatham CLP
Deborah Darnes Congleton CLP
Patrick Darnes
Chris Davies Ashfield CLP
John Davies Liverpool Riverside CLP
Malcolm Davis Bristol South CLP
Chris de Cordova
Anya-Nicola Darr East Devon CLP
Chris Davies
Yvonne Davies Chester CLP
julie dent Islington South & Finsbury CLP
Helen Dickson Wavertree CLP Liverpool
David Dillon International member
Neil Donaldson Telford CLP
Roger Dow Wells CLP
Peter Dowse Bretton Peterborough CLP
Tom Dragicevic Brentford and Isleworth CLP
Elizabeth Dudley Hornsey and Wood Green CLP
Ian Dudley Croydon North CLP
Bridget Dunne Hampstead and Kilburn CLP.
Graham Durham UNITE the Union Rep
Sally Eason
Andy Edwards Garston and Halewood CLP
Mark Elf Barking CLP
Michael Ellman North Islington CLP
Janette Evans Finchley & Golders Green CLP
Peter Evans
Barry Farnworth Unite
Dr Catherine Farnworth
BRIAN FAUX Ceredigion CLP
Ian Ferrie Hampstead and Kilburn CLP
Arye Finkle Barnet CLP
Andy Fiore North Essex CLP
PETE FIRMIN Hampstead & Kilburn CLP
Michael Foulkes Hove and Portslade CLP
Jenny Flintoft Meon Valley CLP
Gerry Flintoft Meon Valley CLP
Sabine Ebert-Forbes Keighley CLP
Mike Eggboro
Philip Foxe Enfield Southgate CLP
Austin France Chorley CLP
Roisin Francis Hampstead & Kilburn CLP
Annie Franklin Islington South CLP
Ed Fredenburgh
Kenny Fryde Cambridge CLP
Oliver Gaggs Cambridge CLP
Rita Gaggs Cambridge CLP
Terry Gallogly York CLP
Janis Garbutt Gloucester CLP
Donna Gardner
Rob Gardiner Huntingdon CLP
Chris Gaynor GMB
Katie Gibbins Sheffield
Ian Gibson Edinburgh South CLP
John L Gibson North Thanet CLP
Daphne Gilbert Hexham CLP
Esther Giles Bristol NW CLP
Stuart Goodman Finchley& Golders Green CLP/Member Jewish Socialists’ Group
Peter Gorbach Hove and Portslade CLP
Andrew Yungé GORDON Labour Party International (Germany)
Annette Gossett Hornsey and Wood Green CLP
Roger Gordon
David R Graham Brentfordand Isleworth CLP
Bill Grant Luton North CLP
Sue Grant Exeter CLP
Elleanne Green Cities of London and Westminster CLP
Janet Green Holborn and St Pancras
John Green Ealing CLP
Ian Grigg-Spall Canterbury CLP
Sarah Grimstone Mirfield CLP
Rhisiart Gwilym
Dr James Hall South Cambridgeshire CLP
Martin Hall Wythenshawe and Sale East CLP
Tim Halpin Brighton Kemptown CLP
Robert Hasell Lewisham East CLP
Pauline Hammerton Manchester Central
Peter Hammerton Penistone and Stocksbridge CLP
Luke Hammond
Jenny Hardacre South Cambridgeshire CLP
Elsa Hardman-Clark Truro and Falmouth CLP
Jackie Hardy
David Harrison Batley & Spen CLP
NEIL HARVEY
Abe Hayeem Harrow East CLP
Rosamine Hayeem Harrow East CLP
Nina Heaton
Malcolm Hecks Chippenham CLP
Councillor Claudia Hector Hampstead and Kilburn CLP
Iain Hedley Berwick-upon-Tweed CLP
Varinia Heidel Luton South CLP
Keith Henderson Clacton-on-Sea CLP/GMB
Mike Higgins Doncaster CLP
Karolin Hijazi Aberdeenshire West CLP
David Hillman Oxford East CLP
Simon Hinds
John Holloway Stretford and Urmston CLP
Doug Holton Hackney North Labour Party
Hannah Hookes Liverpool Riverside CLP
Mike Homfray Bootle CLP
Alan Horton West Cornwall CLP
Dave Horton Stockport CLP
Anna Hubbard Southport CLP
Sally Hughes Thirsk and Malton CLP
Ian Hunter Halewood and Garston CLP
Richie Hunter Liverpool Riverside CLP
Patrick Hunter Hendon CLP
Zaed Hussain Hyndburn CLP
Emma Spurgin Hussey Truro and Falmouth CLP
Philip A. Hutchinson Burton & Uttoxeter CLP
Diana Isserlis Thornbury and Yate
Pat Irwin High Peak CLP
Andy Jackson Isle of Wight CLP
Gary Jakings Peterborough CLP
Selma James
Steve Jansky
Peter Jenner Leeds NW CLP
Martin John Sheffield Central CLP
Jack Johnson “Labour International.”
Chris Jones Vice Chair Conwy County Peace Group
Clifford Jones Sefton CLP
Matthew Jones Cathcart CLP, Glasgow
Phil Jones resigned from Labour Party over Livingstone witch hunt
Ashley Jordan Bexhill & Battle CLP
Caroline Juler Preseli Pembrokeshire CLP
Åsa Karolina Hove CLP
john keen North Herefordshire CLP
Cllr Terry Kelly Renfrewshire Council
Gill Kennard Chatham & Aylesford CLP
Lloyd Kennedy Horsham CLP
Faraz Khan Cambridge CLP
David Kilcyzcki
Eleanor Kilroy Winchester CLP
Jennifer King Dover and Deal CLP
lynda kirkbride Membership number;- L1641569
Ruth Knight Slough CLP
Bev Krell Cheadle Constituency.
David Lancaster York Central
Professor Conrad Lashley West Bridgford CLP, Nottingham
Sandra Law
Geoff Lee Holborn and St Pancras CLP
Claire Lees Riverside CLP
Mara Leverkuhn Salford and Eccles CLP
Susanne Levin City and Westminster CLP
Richard Lightbown
Richard Lines Portsmouth CLP
Debbie Litchfield Don Valley CLP
Mary Lloyd Southampton Itchen CLP
Elizabeth Lock Oxford CLP
John Lohrenz South West Surrey CLP
Ian Lowery South West Bedfordhire CLP
Marie Lynam Hamsptead and Kilburn CLP
Jenny Lynn Halifax CLP
Sangeeta Lyons
Doug Macari Canterbury CLP
Ian MacDonald Edinburgh South CLP
Ilana Machover
Rev. Dr Duncan Macpherson Twickenham CLP
Wendy Madden
Dr Alan Maddison Houghton & Sunderland South CLP
Andy Maguire South Down and Strangford CLP
Beryl Maizels Registered supporter
Victoria Malcolm Ceredigion CLP
Kay Manasseh Streatham CLP
Patrick Mansfield Former Bristol South CLP
Sherry Marks Chippenham CLP
Valerie Marriott Loughborough CLP
Glenn Martin Walsall south
Becky Massey Hove and Portslade CLP
Kathy McCubbing Reading East CLP
Rachelle Mcevilly Sefton CLP
Michael McEvoy Feltham CLP
Ray McHale Ellesmere Port & Neston CLP
Timothy McHale Alyn & Deeside CLP
Mark McKenzie Islington South CLP
Steve Mckenzie Bexhill and Battle CLP
Ellen McNay Sunderland Central CLP
Jim McSporran Bracknell CLP
melanie melvin Brighton Kemptown CLP
Jim Merritt
John Metson Leeds North East CLP
Merlo Michell Saffron Walden CLP
Anna Miller Bury CLP
Anna Miller Saffron Walden CLP
Jay Millington
Carole Milner
Susan Milner
Angie Mindel Nottingham East CLP
Ghazala Mir Leeds NE CLP
Anne Mitchell Hove and Portslade CLP
Doug Moffatt Durham City CLP
Kenneth Mogford
Bev Molineaux Keighley CLP
Fiona Monro Brighton Kemptown CLP
Christine Mooney North West Norfolk CLP
Geoff Moore Henley CLP
Elizabeth Morley Ceredigion CLP
Shelley Morris
Patricia Morrison York Central CLP
Peter Morton Labour supporter Medway
Jane Elise Muir
Margaret Mulheran High Peak Constituency Labour Party
Ellen Musgrove Norwich South CLP
Susan Naser
Diana Neslen Ilford South CLP
John Newman Huddersfield Palestine Support Network
Dr Ephraim Nimni
Graham Noble Havant CLP
Paddy O’Keeffe Brighton Kemptown CLP
Brian O’Leary Chingford and Woodford Green CLP
Dennis O’Malley Registered supporter Cambridge
Joseph O’Neill Chester City CLP
Caroline O’Reilly Brighton Kemptown CLP
Edmond O’Reilly Brighton Kemptown CLP
James O’Sullivan East Worthing & Shoreham CLP
Darren Owen
Dave Owen Hackney North CLP
Pam Page Brighton Pavilion CLP
Mike Paling Redcar CLP
Mike Parker Literary Editor Tribune
Averil Parkinson Cambridge CLP
llan Pearson South Ribble CLP
Professor David Pegg York Central constituency
Dr Miranda Pennell Hackney South & Shoreditch CLP
Professor Anand Pillay Labour International
David Pinto Hammersmith CLP
Bob Pitt Holborn & St Pancras CLP
Daniel Platts Wentworth & Dearne CLP
Edward Pope Oxford West & Abingdon CLP
Nicola Pratt Coventry South CLP
Jane Kitty Pride Kane
maureen Purcell Worthing West CLP
Claire Pyper Birmingham Momentum
Michelle Ramsay Hove & Portslade CLP
Caroline Raine Oxford East CLP
Susan Ram Labour International
Elizabeth Ramsden
Roland Rance
Janine Reed Islwyn CLP
Peter Reilly Southport Labour Party
Iain Rendell Rutland and Melton CLP
Andy Richards Hove CLP
Frances Rifkin Holborn and St Pancras CLP
David Riley
Mira Riley
Anne Robinson Easington CLP
Heather Robinson St Austell and Newquay CLP
Nick Robinson Epping Forest CLP
Lee Rock Sheffield Hallam CLP
Samantha Rogers Don Valley CLP
Samantha Rogers Rhondda CLP
Léa Rohan
Michael Rosen
Kal Ross Riverside CLP
Rob Ross
Susan Ross, Edinburgh East CLP
Daniel Rowe Norwich south CLP
Jerry Rulf Hove and Portslade LP
Adrian Rupp Central Bedfordshire CLP
Kevin Russell Bradford East CLP
Helen Rutherford Chester
Ali Samhan Penarth CLP
Jenny Sanderson Derbyshire Dales CLP
Steph Sankey
Paul Scott Hampstead and Kilburn CLP
Sheila Scoular Ilford North CLP
Rose Seabury North Durham CLP
Amanda Sebestyen Holborn and St Pancras PLC
Sam Semoff Liverpool Riverside CLP
david serva
Awula Serwah Brent Central CLP
Ashok Sethi
George Shaw Barnet CLP
Sue Shaw Henley CLP
Patrick Sheehan Withington CLP
Janet Sheek Berwick-Upon-Tweed CLP
Irene Shemaria
Raymond Shemilt North Cornwall CLP
June Simmons Brentwood and Ongar CLP
Donna Sloane Saffron Walden CLP
Professor John Smith
Sally Spangle
Amanda Speed
Michael Spencer CLP Halifax
Thomas Spencer
Dr Neal Spowage Leicester South CLP
Harry Stannard Leicester West CLP
Peter Richard Stott Moray CLP
Laura Stuart Unite/Momentum
Tony Stuart
Paul Stygal. Rochford & Southend East CLP
Helen Sutcliffe Halifax CLP
Stephanie De-Sykes Woking CLP
Inbar Tamari Walthamstow CLP
Anne Tanner
Max Tasker Clwyd West CLP
Ruth Thacker Great Yarmouth CLP
John Thatcher International member
Jean Thirtle North Norfolk CLP
Natasha THODAY Brighton Pavilion CLP
Daniel Thomas Milton Keynes North CLP
Jack Thomas Sefton Central CLP
Norman thomas South Thanet CLP/Thanet Momentum
Susan Thomas swansea east
Debbie Thompson Mid Norfolk CLP
Graham Thorpe Calderdale CLP
Steve Tiller Hackney South CLP
Christine Tongue South Thanet CLP/Thanet Momentum
Julian Townsend Camberwell and Peckham CLP
Norman Traub Southend West CLP
Geoff Treasure Weaver Vale CLP
Benjamin Treuhaft Edinburgh North and Leith CLP
Kevin Treweeks Sutton and Devonport CLP
Kevin Tulliver Arfon CLP
Hugh Tunks South Norfolk CLP
Ben Tunstall Streatham CLP
Saras Udanpur
Steve Voros Portsmouth North CLP
Carl Wain South Leicestershire CLP
Paul Waley Leeds University
Bob Walker Bexhill & Battle CLP
Carl Walker
Ian Malcolm-Walker Bournemouth West CLP
Janet Walker Cambridge CLP
Julie Walker Birkenhead CLP
Hugh Wallis Dulwich & West Norwood CLP
Susan Walpole Dorchester CLP
David Walters Liverpool Riverside CLP
Andrea Warner International member
Adam Waterhouse Southampton and Romsey CLP
Daniel Waterman International Member
David Watson Walthamstow
Jean Watson Bedford CLP
Roger Watson
Jean Webb Sheffield Hallam CLP
Sam Weinstein Hampstead & Kilburn CLP
Ian Wellens Central Devon CLP
Roy Wenborne West Ham CLP/CWU
Helen Wheat Skipton CLP
Cyril Wheat Skipton CLP
Stewart Whitehead Arundel and South Downs CLP
Sara whiteside Riverside CLP
Lee Whitaker Brighton & Hove District Labour Party
Mark Whyte York Central CLP
Carol Wilcox Secretary Christchurch CLP
Eric Willoughby
Sarah Wilkinson Ludlow CLP
Stephen Williams Lewisham West CLP
John Sidney Williamson
Marie Williamson
Eric Willoughby Palestine Media Digest
Asa Winstanley
Jean Wood Leeds Central CLP
Nola Wolley North Somerset CLP
Bob Wood Leeds Central CLP
Dr Naomi Woodspring
Jan Woolf Finchley and Golders Green CLP
Norman Wright former member Hove CLP – disenfranchised
Monica Wusterman York Central constituency
Sue Young Ceredigion Labour party
Charley Young Ceredigion Labour party
Mari Zadeh Kingston-upon-Thames CLP
Zoe Zero Beckenham CLP
Ali al-Zoubi Oxford & District CLP
Totally agree with the sentiments expressed
Frank Stone
Can you add my name please?
David Esterson Lewisham West and Penge CLP
I would like to signe this petition in support of kl too.
At last! This is all about Israel. Jonathan Arkush on the BBC last week let the cat out of the bag, when after criticising Labour and Livingstone said “Many Jews are wondering why (the Labour party) is obsessing about the one democratic state in the Middle East. And there we have it.
I’m also wondering whether or not certain Labour MP’s have another agenda as well.
As you clearly state, Mr Livingstone has done nowt wrong – except possibly getting himself caught up a Mr Mann self publicising shoot.
Sorry, exclamation marks after Middle East.
As a British born Jew involved in the Palestine/Israeli conflict, I agree that Ken should be given full support.
To do otherwise, is to ignore the difference between criticising behaviour and criticising Jews -the criticism is of the behaviour of the Israeli Government and the failure of Jews to condemn the occupation and oppression of the Palestinians.
Will we have to wait another fifty years before Israel enter into any serious dialogue to resolve this conflict?
Where do I sign?
Totally agree – well done everyone – good to know one is not alone!
Well done everyone. I totally agree.
Id happily add my name to this.
Please where do I sign?
Stephen, leave your name and constituency in a comment and we’ll add you to the list of extras we are compiling
Me, too. The antisemitism row is a stick with which the creepy Blairites beat the Left.
Please add my name to this. Elaine Pembro, Ludlow CLP.
I would like to sign too !
I too would like to sign my name to this letter ‘after the fact’ – it’s what I have been saying for days !
LINDA SWIFT [member, Henley CLP, in a personal capacity]
It’s about time somebody had the gumption to come out in support of Ken Livingstone. The current Labour party (of which I have been a member and supporter for over fifty years) is an absolute shambles. I despair when an honest and forthright man like Ken is pilloried and vilified in this way, It smacks of Stalinism
Add my name John Sweeney Islington North CLP
It’s impossible to view recent events; the attacks on Livingstone, Corbyn and the deliberate discrediting over “anti-semitism in the Labour Party” without question the possibility of it all just being evident of the Zionist state flexing its muscles within British politics as it does within American politics, comforted by the collusion of bedfellows on the British Right, the latter of which Ken alluded to in his comment of a “35 year long struggle” against shape shifting interests who would all too often put on a “Jewish” mask in an attempt to use the identity politics in order to discredit a Left wing leader.
However, that is just the ‘short play’.
Equally, it’s impossible not to question whether there is a ‘long play’ too; and that is the creation of a bogus consensus and making taboo of certain areas of academic discussion and investigation that paint a far more complete and complex picture of history. In this specific case, not just the Nazi-Zionist empathy and collusion, but even more to their attitudes and actions towards Assimilationist Jews. Jews who declared that they were no longer a separate nation but an organic part of the larger nation in whose midst they lived (and let us remember he and we are really just primarily discussing the activities and attitudes of the German Zionist federation and their allies, something which Livingstone again correctly alluded to),
Even more, the ‘big play’ seeks to bury inconvenient questions over the responsibility the same group has for directly engendering and extending Jewish suffering as an acceptable cost for achieving its entirely materialistic and nationalistic aims, and the sabotaging and failure of worldwide anti-Nazi campaigning that, arguably, could have obstructed Hitler’s coming to absolute power in the first place.
It would seem the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance front, and other players, seek not just to make objectively accurate comparisons of contemporary Israeli policies and those of the Nazis illegal, but to extend that goal revisionistically backwards into history, in order to protect the original architects of the terroristical apartheid Zionist state.
So Joel it was not the Nazis. It was the Jews own fault
I would like to sign the petition
Absolutely agree. There is a witch hunt against Ken, led by the Israel lobby. It is essentially aimed at Jeremy Corbyn and all his supporterstwhile.
Please add me from Leicester east clp .
I support Ken 100 percent, we need him back in front line politics.
Labour party member, Salford.
Please add my name to the signatories of this letter. Dulwich and West Norwood CLP
Since when has speaking historical facts as documented been cause for any form of disciplinary action. I support Ken Livingstones right to state facts and I support anyone’s right to challenge any other persons point of view or opinion. I despise opinions and arguments put forward deliberately promulgated to stigmatise individuals on the basis that a political and emotionally charged label ( anti Semitic) by being assigned to that individual somehow demeans the accuracy, point of view or statement the individual is making. The challenge back to such individuals is prove the historical inaccuracy of Ken Livingstones statements or shut up.
please add my name.
Halima Brewer
Oxfordshire
Please add my name in support of Ken Livingstone.
Di Coffey – Falmouth
Thank you. Common sense opinion at last.
Please add me.
David Hardman – West Ham CLP
I agree completely with the above statement, shame on theGuardian and shame on the Progress idiot-cult. Please add my name.
At last thank you for arranging this please add my name
Walthamstow constituency
Add my name: Naomi Warren – Hornsey & Wood Green CLP.
I support Ken Livingstones right to state facts and I support anyone’s right to challenge any other persons point of view or opinion
Please add my name, Nerina Vaughan, Dwyfor Meirionnydd CLP
Add me too.
Peter Northall, Lewisham West & Penge CLP
I would be very pleased if you were to add my name in support of Ken Livingstone.
Richard Collington.
Please add my name to the petition
Ken Livingstone has not breached any of the necessary limitations to Freedom of Speech (inciting violence etc.) and must not fall victim to this Labour-Rightwing attack. If allowable Free Speech is no longer allowed in the Labour Party, then the Labour Party should pack up and go home.
As an historian I’m alarmed at any form of censorship,
The Ha’avara agreement is an historical fact. This is all about interpretation. This is what Richard Verber the Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews states
(As a result of the Ha’avara agreement, thousands of Jews went to Palestine before the Second World War broke out and it could reasonably be argued that the agreement saved the lives of more than 60,000 Jews. Livingstone wilfully ignored the context What Ken Livingstone has done consistently is to focus on this final fact, entirely aware of the media storm it will create. Although it is historically correct that some Jewish Zionists did work with the Nazis in order to help Jews escape Nazi Germany, the former Mayor of London has wilfully neglected to put the events in their wider historical context. He has done this in full knowledge that it is offensive to Jews and insulting to history. Labour’s decision not to take firmer action further damages its credibility as an anti-racist party. Livingstone’s punishment is so light – despite being found guilty on three charges – that the decision marks an all-time low in relations between the Jewish community and the Labour Party.) .
Ken’s words were clumsy but then he’s not academically trained historian, anyway this is all rather academic as a whole matter has been passed over to the NEC. I was somewhat surprised to see leading members of the party making judgements and comments, while the enquiry is going on. Perhaps it would be better if they stated it would be against natural justice to make any comments while the hearing is on going
And of course it’s not up to Jeremy Corbyn whether anybody is expelled or not. Personally I would have pointed out that from its very beginning the Labour Party has fought racism and anti-Semitism it was to the fore in Cable Street Lewisham Smethwick and many other towns and cities where ethnic minorities were under attack, we should also remind the media the Daily Mail supported Oswald Mosley and with the rest of the right wing press condemned us when we took to the streets to fight fascism. We should also remind the press that we are the party that brought in the race relations act which the Tories are right wing press opposed vigorously.
I would like to sign too:
Pat Stone Camberwell and Peckham PLC
Agree. Please add my name. Alexander Jamal Dulwich and West Norwood CLP. Transparently opportunistic and immoral answer campaign. Only good thing may be that people might know the history of Zionism and their record of even more shameless and immoral opportunism
Nice to see so many village idiots on a day out! Your statement uses one quote from Livingstone that’s historically dubious, and ignores dozens of others. It’s good though that you’re so willing to abandon Corbyn, who personally asked the NEC to investigate more recent comments by Livingstone; hopefully you’ll all now help to rid the Party of this electoral deadweight and return it to a position of electability for the millions of our citizens who are being robbed of the chance of a Labour government they so desperately need because of the complete incompetence and moronicity of the leadership.
I am in support of Ken Livingstone and his right to free speech on this issue. If you consider Mr Livingstone to be factually incorrect, then challenge him with the relevant facts. There is no evidence to support the anti-Semitic charge. It is hugely disappointing that in a democratic society we cannot discuss historical details without being stigmatised in this manner.
Please add my name – Jon Rimmington, Lincoln CLP
I agree. Please add my name to the above list. Luqman Khan, South Derbyshire CLP.
I would like to sign as well please.
Tommy Duffy (Dartford)
Freedom of speech should not be selective. Truths that some people don’t want to hear still need to be spoken.
I support this petition.
I have been making this point ever since I heard about it. There is nothing remotely anti-semitic about what Livingstone said. How do I add my signature?
My first Indian passport (1963) prohibited me from visiting Israel (and South Africa). The Indian Government led by Jawaharlal Nehru refused to recognise the state of Israel. Nehru even wrote to the USA and USSR governments criticising their support for the existence of Israel. Following this tradition, I would like to sign the petition.
Peter Downey Openshaw Manchester constituency.
Add my name, please. Ken Livingstone is being scapegoated.
Some sanity
at last.It remains important to combat anti-Semitism and those who trivialise it tocover upthe
barbaric actions of the state of Israel and their own refusal to actively and unreservedly condemn
them.
A very good letter and some antidote to the avalanche of one-sided Guardian articles attacking Ken Livingstone. What happened to balance?
Expeled for telling the truth???
It wrong just wrong
And why wasnt mr mann disciplined over his ludicrous media stunt?
Since when did being anti zionist become antisemetic?
Those involved in this ridiculous situation they are bringing the party into disrepute they are the ones that need to be expeled permanently
Beware the Zionist lobby. You can fool some of the people some of the time. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
Please add our names to the list of signatories. This is the first we’ve heard of this letter. We wholeheartedly support it.
Shame on The Guardian for flinging around accusations of anti-semitism against anyone who speaks the historical truth.
David and Linsey Cottington, Kingston & Surbiton CLP
Please add my name to the letter x
Please add my name to the petition
Please add my name.
The Party Leader should be more outspoken than Mr Livingstone. And Mr Livingstone should be more outspoken than he already is!
Please add my name
I’ll sign that.
Please add my name. I am a member of Dover & Deal CLP.
Please add my name. Cathy Toulet, Dover & Deal CLP
It seems worth mentioning that even among Zionists there is always disagreement as to acceptable methods.
Please could you add my name too?
I do think he should be expelled. Corbyn’s Labour party is a shambolic echo of what it used to be and only pays lip service to the values it used to represent. I’m repulsed by Livingston’s ridiculous interpretation of these events. If I was gay, black or Muslim and offended you lot would be jumping to my defense. But I’m not, I’m Jewish so you apply different standards. No doubt you all claim to be anti racist anti discrimination, anti this and anti that. Well I am offended and disgusted by Livingston and all his apologists. Shame on those that support him.
Please add my name.
Please add my name in support of Ken Livingstone.
Please could you add my name Derek. R. Lea. Edgbaston CLP
Please. Could you add my name too! I am a Labour Party and Momentum Member.