Britain ‘conceded to Zionist forces’, Corbyn wrote after Middle East trip
Party leader contributed to pamphlet written by Labour MPs following a visit to Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon in 2011.
An article allegedly written by labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2011 accuses Britain of “conceding to Zionist forces” in allowing the creation of the state of Israel.
It appeared in a pamphlet written by Labour MPs Sir Gerald Kaufman and Michael Connarty after a trip to Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, organised by the Council for European-Palestinian Relations and the Palestinian Return Centre.
The article, allegedly written by Corbyn before he became Labour leader, was uncovered by the Bellingcat contributor Iggy Ostanin.
It laments the establishment and recognition of the state of Israel, claiming Clement Attlee “conceded” to Zionist forces.
“Now that Labour is back in opposition I think it’s time for a serious debate about how one brings justice about for the Palestinian people and how international law, including universal jurisdiction is made a reality for those who have committed war crimes,” it continued.
In another pamphlet put together after the trip, Corbyn is quoted as saying: “It was good to see the various Palestinian groups working together in the face of US and Israeli pressure to separate the Gaza Strip and West Bank from the rest of the Diaspora, which is a classic colonial divide and rule tactic.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “Jeremy’s report of a visit he and other MPs made to refugee camps in Lebanon in 2011 calls for a serious debate about ensuring justice for the Palestinian people.
“Jeremy has a long and principled record of campaigning for the rights of Palestinians, and engaging with actors in the conflict to support a peaceful settlement based on a safe and secure Israel with a viable Palestinian state. That is the right thing to do.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
