London Israel demo organisers condemn ‘leftist’ claims as both ‘wrong and misleading’
The Israeli expat organisers of a 'Defend Israeli Democracy' protest taking place in London on Sunday have hit back at claims made by ex-JC editor Stephen Pollard that the event is 'effectively' run by Yachad and the New Israel Fund
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The organisers of a second Defend Israeli Democracy demonstration taking place in London on Sunday have hit back angrily at claims that so-called “leftist” groups such as Yachad and the New Israel Fund (NIF) are the real backers of the protests.
Former Jewish Chronicle editor Stephen Pollard wrote in an op-ed published online that he would not be attending Sunday’s demonstrations because”Yachad and the NIF are effectively the organisers.”
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, one of the Israeli-born protest organisers, Dr Sharon Shochat, said:”Mr Pollard, your statements about the coming protest are wrong and misleading.
“On behalf of the protest’s organisers I can state that it is grassroots movement of Israeli expats organising the protest on Sunday in London.
“Your branding of the protest as ‘Leftist’ is a transparent attempt to discourage local Jews from attending, similar in intention to the disgraceful branding of Israeli protesters as ‘anarchists’.”
Sunday’s demo, which will take place at a location shortly to be announced by the organisers, aims to capitalise on the protests that have taken place in Israel and amongst expat communities across the globe in response to sweeping proposed changes to the country’s legislative and judicial system.
An earlier protest, last month, attracted a crowd of around 300 mainly Israeli expats, but Sunday’s event is expected to be bigger, with Israeli media promising to cover the event.
But in his article Pollard appeared to place Yachad and NIF at the centre of the London protests.
He compared the organisations with Trotskyist groups such as the Socialist Workers Party who had made a habit of infiltrating protests and “attempting to purloin the demo as their own.”
Pollard said he shared “deep concern” over the judicial reforms being pursued by the Israeli government, along with concerns about some of the people in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
But he announced he would not be joining Sunday’s protest because of the “dangerously wrong” and “leftist” politics of Yachad and NIF.
But in an angry rebuke, one of the demo organisers Dr Shochat, an Israeli business development expert currently living in the UK, added:”We are a group of academics, tech entrepreneurs and security professionals whose political views are diverse.
“This reflects the broad spectrum of the mass protests in Israel itself. Our list of speakers at the protest is also diverse.
“Thank you, though, for inadvertently helping us advertise the protest and clarify its importance.
“We appreciate the support we receive from ALL Jewish organisations and voices, including those of the NIF and Yachad.
“Anyone who cares about Israel should participate in this protest on Sunday. We hope to see you there, Mr Pollard, as well.”
Responding to Pollard’s attack NIF chief executive David Davidi-Brown said:”NIF UK are proud to support and assist Israelis defending democracy and working towards a just, safe, and equal Israel.
“There has not been a press release sent by New Israel Fund about this Sunday’s demonstration.
“Two press releases were passed on by New Israel Fund from the Israeli organisers of the rally on 4th February as part of events in various cities around the world.
“One of those press releases stated ‘All events are organised by Israelis who live locally in these cities from across the political and religious spectrum.’
“The other made clear ‘the rally is not a New Israel Fund initiative and is very much led on a grassroots basis by Israelis all around the world.’
“The coordinating we have done and are very proud of is the Choose Democracy campaign that has involvement of many communal organisations and Orthodox and centrist supporters among the 2,000+ who have signed our statement.”
Hannah Weisfeld, Yachad’s director said:”Yachad is proud to be supporting the demonstration taking place in London that has been organised by a group of committed and concerned Israelis living here.
“We are pleased to be promoting and encouraging others to attend, and it is a great shame that more communal organisations haven’t done the same. I am also pleased to have been invited by the organisers to speak at the demonstration alongside a broad spectrum of speakers.
“The demonstrations in Israel have been supported by organisations across the political spectrum – indeed that is the great power in them – and it is positive to see the organisers of the demonstration in London emulating that.”
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