closeicon
News

New Jewish Labour Movement Chair Mike Katz 'honoured and humbled'

MP Ruth Smeeth is also elected parliamentary chair after Luciana Berger's departure from Labour

articlemain

New Jewish Labour Movement chair Mike Katz has said the organisation's "strength is our membership" after he defeated Ivor Caplin to be elected to lead it as Labour's antisemitism crisis continues.

Mr Katz, who was previously the vice-chair, was elected at the JLM's AGM on Sunday, where it also passed a motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership.

He tweeted he was "honoured and humbled". Mr Caplin, who became JLM chair last May, is understood to have been defeated by a wide margin after he was challenged amid concerns over his leadership.

MP Ruth Smeeth was elected JLM's parliamentary chair, replacing Luciana Berger, who quit Labour in February and accused it of being "institutionally antisemitic".

Congratulating new Youth and Student Officers Luisa Attfield and Jack Lubner, Mr Katz said: "The battle for our ideals will be fought on campuses, Labour clubs and student unions."

When he announced he was standing, Mr Katz said JLM had "failed" its members "at this crucial time".

He wrote in his manifesto: "We have always been at our best, and at our boldest, when we listen to our members and harness our talents to achieve our goals.

“When we do this we earn the trust of our community; and deserve the solidarity of our comrades.

"I’m standing because many of you have told me that recently - at this most crucial time - we’ve failed to do this and we need change."

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive