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Labour branches cause fury by inviting pro-Corbyn, fringe JVL to discuss antisemitism

Jewish Labour Movement says they are putting 'the interests of antisemites within the party above the interests of Jewish voters, supporters and the wider electorate'

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Two local Labour branches have caused fury by refusing to allow representatives from the Jewish Labour Movement to conduct antisemitism training sessions - inviting the pro-Jeremy Corbyn, fringe group Jewish Voice For Labour instead.

Pro-Corbyn activists at Enfield Southgate and in the Chingford Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) have moved to sideline JLM representatives from addressing members on how to tackle Jew-hate both within their party and in wider society.

JLM chair Ivor Caplin told the JC the two Constituency Labour Parties were putting "the interests of antisemites within the party above the interests of Jewish voters, supporters and the wider electorate."

The JC has learned that in Enfield Southgate CLP, where pro-Corbyn group Momentum dominates, the anti-Israel JVL activist Roland Rance has been invited to a forthcoming local meeting to offer his opinion on the party's antisemitism crisis.

Instrumental in the formation of groups such as Jews Against Zionism, and once closely linked with expelled Labour activist Tony Greenstein, Mr Rance opposes the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

One Jewish Labour member in Enfield said the decision to invite him "feels like an attack on me" and said it sent out a signal that the only Jews welcome in the Party were those who were "virulently anti-Zionist".

Meanwhile in Chingford, the JC has been forwarded a copy of the agenda for the CLP's November 26 meeting where JVL founding member Naomi Wimbourne-Idrissi has been invited to speak "on antisemitism."

Ms Wimborne-Idrissi once used a speech at a Manchester Labour meeting to dismiss the vicious abuse sent to Luciana Berger and other Jewish female MPs, saying there was "no proof anybody in the Labour Party is going to punch them in face”.

She also called questions over Mr Corbyn's attendance at a wreath-laying ceremony for Black September terrorists "absurd".

Mr Caplin said: "It is deliberate obfuscation for the Labour Party to claim that antisemitism is under control, when local Labour parties in some of the most heavilyJewish populated constituencies give platforms to those who deny antisemitism in the party exists and affiliate to organisations that defend those who have been suspended or expelled.

"It is hardly surprising there is distrust from the Jewish community in Labour when local parties appear to put the interests of antisemites in the party above the interests of Jewish voters, supporters, members and the wider electorate."

Mr Greenstein was allowed to speak from the main platform at a JVL meeting in Liverpool during Labour's annual conference in September despite his expulsion over allegations of antisemitism.

In a move that sparked outrage amongst the majority of Jewish members, Hornsey and Wood Green Labour branch voted to affiliate with JVL last month.

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