Rabbi: Labour faction’s offensive and intimidating conduct stops Jews attending meetings
Muswell Hill Synagogue's David Mason said a group within Hornsey and Wood Green Labour Party had sent an email to members 'attempting to smear my name'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Muswell Hill Synagogue’s Rabbi David Mason has accused a “faction” within his local Labour Party of engaging in “offensive and intimidating” conduct which has left some Jewish members still unable to attend meetings over fears of a hostile environment.
The United Synagogue rabbi also said the group, within the local Hornsey and Wood Green Labour party of which he is a member, had emailed senior local officials “attempting to smear my name.”
In an outspoken letter to the OnLondon website, Mason said it had been difficult to remain in Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
He wrote:” I am an active Labour Party member in North London.
“But I am also a Rabbi, leading a local Jewish community.
“The last few years have been a deeply difficult time for me. The decision to remain a member of our Party was far from an easy one. But I stayed. I had faith that things would improve. ”
The rabbi, who advises Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis on environmental issues, added:”I feel vindicated.
“We have moved from the low moment of the EHRC report to the steps taken under the leadership of Keir Starmer to rebuild the relationship with the Jewish community.
“And the polls indicate we are once again being treated as a party that may be entrusted with the privilege of serving the British people once again.”
But Mason then referred to the repeated issues that continue to surface in his local Labour party.
“Motions supporting the likes of Ken Loach and rejecting the EHRC report still find their way into meetings,” he said.
“Comments are still made that are offensive and intimidating. I know Jewish party members who have not returned to local meetings for fear of the hostile environment that has developed.”
Mason then referred to a recent meeting of the local party, it which Jewish News revealed he boycotted after a member linked to the Jewish Voice For Labour spoke in a Holocaust commemoration.
“Things came to a head recently at a big meeting of the local Labour party known as a ‘GC’,” he said.
” I was invited to open the meeting by reflecting on Holocaust Memorial Day. I was proud and happy to do so.
“But I then learned that I was to speak alongside another member – someone who I know has antagonised fellow Jewish members of our party in the past.
“Someone who has used deeply offensive language to describe Israel and someone who was key to affiliating our local party to Jewish Voice for Labour – a fringe (and thankfully largely discredited) organisation that has been nothing but divisive.
“So I asked to not speak alongside this member. I offered to withdraw from the meeting in a bid to reach a compromise and avoid a conflict. No such compromise was pursued.”
Mason said he had not intended to discuss this issue.
“In the face of factionalism I am trying to rise above it and I am grateful to the many allies I have in the party.”
But he then revealed:”But this faction within the local party has taken to relitigating and misrepresenting events in their echo chamber media spaces such as the Morning Star.
“They even took the step of sending e mails to GC delegates (party members who are elected to attend special meetings) attempting to smear my name. I say to these people – if you abuse your positions as office holders in the local party by attacking the local Rabbi – what message do you think this sends to the Jewish community?
“How are we illustrating that we have learned the lessons and intend to move on from the low point of the EHRC report? And how are these actions going to serve the people of Haringey?”
Mason then issued a plea for the activists to recognise the impact of their actions.
“I have chosen to speak out, partly to set the record straight but ultimately to call on the vast majority of decent, ordinary party members to turn our backs on the bitter factionalism of the recent past,” he said.
” Let us turn away from antagonising the Jewish community.
“Let us turn away from longwinded motions at party meetings designed to parade our virtue while making no difference to the public. Let us instead find common ground, treat each other with respect and do the urgent work of connecting with the voters.
“Haringey and Hornsey and Wood Green deserve better. The country deserves better.”
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