Starmer has got message ‘absolutely right’ on Israel, JLM national chair says

Keir Starmer and the Labour leadership “have got the message absolutely right” in stressing “Israel has a right to defend itself” after the horrific terrorist actions of Hamas while also calling for “international law and humanitarian corridors to be maintained” the Jewish Labour Movement’s national chair has insisted.

Speaking during JLM’s Northern Conference in Manchester, Mike Katz, the organisation’s national chair defended Starmer amid attempts by some in Labour to criticise the leader’s approach to Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist atrocities.

Around 20 councillors have quit Labour as a result, with around 30 signing a letter distancing themselves from Starmer’s stance on Israel.

A Channel 4 News report from the inaugural JLM conference in the north west noted that the “relief many Jewish people feel” about Labour’s response to the October 7th atrocities has “caused tensions elsewhere.”

But an important message from the all-day event, which attracted over 200 Jewish Labour activists, numerous shadow cabinet members and local political figures, along with communal leaders, was one of ensuring the Jewish community across the north of the country was protected from rising antisemitism.

Other sessions on Sunday also recognised the need to maintain strong relations and links with all communities across the region.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who spoke at the JLM conference, said it was “important” to “recognise the deep distress that people are feeling” since October 7th.

She added it was necessary to “stand really firm against any kind of rise in antisemitism on our streets and against any Islamophobia since the attacks took place.”

Earlier, speaking at a session chaired by ex-MP Luciana Berger, now a Labour member again, Cooper said she was aware the Hamas atrocities had left the Jewish community recalling “other periods of history, of persecution, of pogroms, of suffering beyond comprehension.”

In tough words Cooper also stressed that promotion of a proscribed organisation like Hamas was against the law, and called for the full force of the law to be enacted.

Sunday’s conference had also seen deputy leader and communities secretary Angela Rayner deliver a video recorded message to the Jewish Labour members in Manchester.

Rayner told JLM members:”Just a few weeks ago I thought I would address our party’s conference last week with a message of hope a Labour government could bring to your community.

“I could not have imagined I would have to call a minute’s silence for the victims of the most murderous day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. ”

She continued: “It has broken my heart this week to meet the families of victims grieving for the loss of loved ones, fearing for the fate of those taken hostage, or living with the terrible uncertainty of not knowing their fate at all.”

Rayner added:”I promise you know that I will not cease our demands for the release of the hostages.”

She also praised Jewish communal leaders who had stepped forward “even in their darkest hour” and with other faith leaders on humanitarian projects.”

The JLM’s Northern Conference had aimed to build on the success of their regular London events, but the agenda reflected the shattering impact of the Hamas terror attacks on the community across the north west.

Greater Manchester mayor Kate Green addressed the audience, admitting there was great pressure on police attempting to maintain community cohesion during “dark times” as Israel responds to Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

The day had begun with a minutes silence, and also a video message from Israel’s Labor leader Merav Michaeli who said:”As you stand in solidarity with us, your friends in Israel stand in solidarity with you.”

Among the communal figures to take part in sessions were the Board of Deputies Amanda Bowman and the CST’s Dave Rich who were on the panel during a discussion about the Online Harms Bill and antisemitism, while Mark Adlestone of Manchester’s Jewish Rep Council also made a valuable contribution to the day.

Labour Friends of Israel director Michael Rubin and Dame Louise Ellman hosted a session titled Why We Must Stand With Israel.

Senior Labour MPs to take part also included Lisa Nandy, Lucy Powell, Charlotte Nicols and Christian Wakeford, while South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard also spoke.

Lord John Mann also hosted a session entitled What Next In the Fight Against Antisemitism, which included contributions from Baroness Anderson.

But other discussions looked at issues affecting the community around transport, crime, and within the trade unions, with focus on how a possible Labour government would seek to make improvements.

JLM later said the day had been both “emotional” and “important” giving Jewish members the opportunity to come together and find some comfort and support after the horrific events in Israel.

But the organisation also said the event had highlighted the increasingly close bond Labour has again with the community in the north west.