Louise Ellman: Antisemitic anti-Zionism I suffered is now a challenge for us all

The former Labour MP Dame Louise Ellman shared her unique perspective of left-wing antisemitism and the protests about the Israel–Hamas war when she presented a session on Monday at Limmud Festival.

Earlier in the day she co-presented a talk – with a surprise contribution from TV’s Anne Robinson – about Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation.

At the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in UK cities following Hamas’ 7 October atrocities in Israel, Ellman sees examples of the same sort of “antisemitic anti-Zionism” that characterised the Momentum-led plot to force her out of the Labour Party.

She referred to posters at some of the demonstrations that state Zionism is evil, that it is racist and imperialist, or that say ‘keep the world clean’ next to a Magen David in the bin. That is the same messaging that was used against her, she said.

In the period after Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader in 2015, constituency meetings were packed with new party members whose intention was to “sort me out”, she recalls. “I was defined as ‘the Zionist’ and therefore as racist and imperialist and right-wing.” Her critics at the time were upset that she had such good relations with local Muslims, who they saw as “the wrong kind of Muslims”.

Ellman drew an audience of about 200 Limmudniks at the five-day Festival at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, and all appeared transfixed by the links she saw between the extreme elements among pro-Palestinian activities and what she recalled as the “mob” behaviour against her.

While Keir Starmer was sorting out the Labour Party, the problem of antisemitic anti-Zionism remained, she said. “It’s not a Labour Party problem. It’s to do with Progressives. We need to address what I think is a major challenge for all of us.”

Liverpool anniversary

Earlier on 25 December, she joined Liverpudlian Robin Makin to lead a session about the city’s Princes Road synagogue, which next year has its 150th anniversary. Ellman, who was born in Manchester, she said was delighted to find the shul was in her constituency when she was elected as MP for Liverpool Riverside in 1997: she joined immediately and has been a member ever since.

Makin, a regular attendee at Limmud, presented a fascinating talk on the history of Liverpool’s Jews, whose history dates back to 1752, as well as on Grade I-listed Princes Road, consecrated in 1874 at a service attended by the Chief Rabbi.

The lawyer reminded his audience that Max Bruch, then conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic, wrote his cello and orchestral composition Kol Nidre in the city in 1881. Perhaps, Makin hoped, he was inspired by a visit to the stunning new shul at Princes Road.

Music will feature heavily in the series of commemorative events planned from September 2024, for which a fundraising drive has been launched. A video about the anniversary is narrated by Anne Robinson, best known for the quiz show The Weakest Link. The Liverpudlian implores viewers to volunteer, participate and donate.

“I promise you, next Kol Nidre you will not need to pray to absolve, remit, cancel or declare your promise null and void,” the familiar voice is heard to say. “I’m using all the tricks in my box to get across my message.” Robinson concludes: “Please, don’t be the weakest link! Goodbye.”

Ellman expressed her excitement at the anniversary, telling Jewish News: “I look forward to joining the celebrations. It’s a very important space and very important for Jewish people.”