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.”
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