Orwellian email warns members not to participate in protests against Israel’s obliteration of Gaza so that Labour can be ‘welcoming for all members’
Right-wing Labour general secretary David Evans has issued a warning to members that they may be expelled if they participate in protests against Israel’s war on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
With demonstrations taking place in a number of cities today in solidarity with oppressed Palestinians, Evans’s email notifies members that MPs have effectively been banned from taking part – and warns members that they face disciplinary action if they choose to do so. Even being photographed next to the ‘wrong’ person in a crowd could see a member expelled.
Perversely, Evans excuses this action on the grounds that members protesting may compromise Labour’s ability to fight racism – the party right’s widespread racism toward Muslims, Black people and Gypsy Roma apparently doesn’t count – and to keep the party ‘welcoming’ for all members (presumably except Palestinians).
The email also bans motions against Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians, and social media comments the party may dislike – and invites members to report on each other:
Dear ,
In light of current and fast-changing events in Israel and Gaza, I wanted to share the below guidance with CLPs and BLPs. This is in line with guidance that has been circulated to other units of the Labour Party.
Upcoming protests and demonstrations
There will be a number of protests and demonstrations taking place over the weekend. Elected representatives have been given strong advice not to attend any of these events, and I would urge you to exercise similar caution. Not only is this in the interests of our members’ safety, but also to avoid placing colleagues in a position where they may share a platform with, or are close to, individuals that threaten to undermine the values and principles of the Labour Party.
In the event that individual members are in attendance at these protests and demonstration, I ask that no Labour Party banners are taken along. Individuals will not have the ability to control who they will be photographed alongside, and this risks threatening the Labour Party’s ability to campaign against any form of racism and discrimination.
Motions
The Party’s leadership has been clear that Labour fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect civilians in line with international law. We must also distinguish the terrorists Hamas from the people of Palestine, and Labour has called for humanitarian access to Gaza, for food, water, electricity and medicines. [Skwawkbox note: Keir Starmer backed Israel’s decision to cut water, food and medicine supplies so this is doublespeak]
I recognise that these tragic events in the Middle East will trigger great emotion and debate. However, I will not let that become a flashpoint for the expression of views that undermine the Labour Party’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming space for all its members. This includes attempts to table motions at meetings that are prejudicial or grossly detrimental to the Labour Party and risk infringing the Labour Party’s Codes of Conduct on Antisemitism and Islamophobia. Accordingly, and consistent with previous precedent, any such motions will be ruled out of order.
If you have further queries in this regard, please direct them in the first instance to your regional or national office.
Social media
Members are reminded that they are expected to treat all people with dignity and respect, whether offline or online. Whilst members should feel able to take part in lawful and respectful discussion, abusing someone online is completely unacceptable. Further, officers should ensure that official social media accounts are not used to promote statements or events that are likely to bring the Party into disrepute. The Labour Party stands against all forms of abuse, and we will take action against those who commit it. Harassment, intimidation, hateful language and bullying are never acceptable.
Members are encouraged to review the Labour Party’s Code of Conduct: Social Media Policy here: https://labour.org.uk/resources/labours-social-media-policy/
Any member found in breach of our rules, codes of conduct, policies and/or guidelines of the Labour Party will be dealt with according to the rules and procedures of the Labour Party, and this may include being investigated and becoming subject to disciplinary action.
Reporting complaints to the Labour Party
No member of the Labour Party shall engage in conduct that brings the Labour Party into disrepute or which undermines the Labour Party’s ability to campaign against any form of racism, including (but not limited to) antisemitism, Islamophobia, Afrophobia and anti-Black racism, as well as disablism or discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation. Be assured that the Labour Party takes complaints seriously and we will investigate any such complaints fully and in line with our procedures.
If you or someone else considers that a Labour Party member has breached our rules, this should be reported to us here: https://labour.org.uk/resources/making-a-complaint/. In order to learn more about how the Labour Party handles complaints, visit: https://labour.org.uk/complaints/.
Starmer’s hatchet man is making clear to all members that if they are not prepared to abandon decency and leave the Palestinians to the brutalities of their occupiers, they face expulsion.
It is clear that Starmer and co are on the side of the oppressors and this email’s feeble attempt to disguise that as somehow ‘fighting racism’ is a farce.
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Many members will find this unacceptable. Starmer’s unquestioning Zionism and neoliberal centrism put him on the wrong side of History – and a long way away from traditional Labour values.
Important article by Corbyn:
https://tribunemag.co.uk/2023/10/jeremy-corbyn-i-condemn-violence-against-all-civilians-why-cant-keir-starmer/
That is a very, very balanced piece, but in the world of the Starmeroids, would have been sufficient for action to be taken against him, were he a Labour MP.
Here we see Corbyn show the world he is 100 times the man Starmer will ever be.
It annoys me intensely that Labour gives more attention to serving the overall interests of US neocon foreign policy and the colonialist-settler Zionist state of Israel, and it’s continual practices of ethnic-cleansing and genocide, than actually caring for world peace and equitable development.
Just lik the Tories and Lib Dems, they are Washington’s willing lapdogs.
If I were still a member of the Labour Party which I am not as I gave them the sack, I would not give a toss about expulsion from starmer’s outfit. Decency, authenticity and solidarity are paramount in my book. These people have obviously either not learned from history or don’t care.
I am staggered that people will allow others to have control over their lives ion not be “allowed” to have an opinion. If you give ANY credence to this email, you’ve stopped being a mature, adult human being, and that leads to some very, very dark places as history proved many, many times. For goodness sake, tell Evans and Starmer where to stick their orders.
Where are the Labour MPs that resigned from the shadow bench over Corbyn acceptance of the EU´s membership Referendum result and Corbyn accepting the result of the Referendum? The ones that voted by a huge majority in a vote of no confidence and demanded from Corbyn to stand down as leader in June 2016?
How can they call themselves men and women of integrity when their leader, a barrister specialising in human rights in public television justify genocide against civilians in Gaza?
The members of the SCG better start smelling the coffee, if they keep quiet so as to keep the Labour whip, as soon as the Tories call a General Election, I fear their Labour whips will be removed from one reason or another or for no reason at all.
No a single Labour Party member with integrity is going to stand by them, when they are refusing to speak up against the Starmer’s support for genocide.
ANY Labour member – MP or otherwise, who accepts this is part of the problem, NOT part of the solution.
Well said JoeRobson.
Add that to the fact I’m sure Corbyn would welcome the Labour Whip back, and you realise he might be part of the problem too.
Maria, you used the I word. That is sufficient reason for immediate expulsion from the New Blue Integrity Free Labour Party. No appeals permitted.
I am not longer a member. It is a relief as the stench of fascism emanating from Starmer’s leadership is nausating.
Jonathan Cook writes in Declassified UK:
Britain has been leading the way in helping Israel to rewrite the rulebook on international law.
Listen to Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour opposition and the man almost certain to be Britain’s next prime minister. This week he supported the “complete siege” of Gaza, a crime against humanity, refashioning it as Israel’s “right to defend itself”.
Starmer has not failed to grasp the legal implications of Israel’s actions, even if he seems personally immune to the moral implications. He is trained as a human rights lawyer.
His approach even appears to be taking aback journalists not known for being sympathetic to the Palestinian case. When asked by Kay Burley of Sky News if he had any sympathy for the civilians in Gaza being treated like “human animals”, Starmer could not find a single thing to say in support.
Instead, he deflected to an outright deception: blaming Hamas for sabotaging a “peace process” that Israel both practically and declaratively buried years ago.
Confirming that the Labour party now condones war crimes by Israel, his shadow attorney general, Emily Thornberry, has been sticking to the same script. On BBC’s Newsnight, she evaded questions about whether cutting off power and supplies to Gaza is in line with international law.
It is no coincidence that Starmer’s position contrasts so dramatically with that of his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. The latter was driven out of office by a sustained campaign of antisemitism smears fomented by Israel’s most fervent supporters in the UK.
Starmer does not dare to be seen on the wrong side of this issue. And that is exactly the outcome Israeli officials wanted and expected.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/lawless-in-gaza-why-britain-and-the-west-back-israels-crimes/
It’s just the next war now they have lost Ukraine
Your being played
Sooner rather than later the lads and lasses with the pitchforks will sort the fuckers out
In Israel the backlash against Netanyahu and the Neo Nazis will be swift and brutal
In Ukraine Russia will decisively take control and make most of it a neutral buffer zone
In Europe the shift away from the Banks and Yanks will happen when the Financial system implodes
In America don’t know don’t care
The BRICS countries will move us all towards Peace and Prosperity, the Silk Road will run through Newcastle and the Toon will win the Cup
Craig Murray posted the following article yesterday:
‘Fascism in the West to Enable Genocide in Palestine’
The UK and the US are both sending military assistance to Israel to commit a calculated and deliberate act of genocide, which is already underway.
Over 500 children have been killed in Gaza in the last week and over 2,000 maimed, many with life changing injuries. Nobody can claim they do not know what is already happening or what is about to unfold. The cutting off of food and water to Gaza is a major international crime, which the western proponents of the “rules based order” universally refuse to condemn.
In both the UK and the US there can be no more stark illustration of the lack of any kind of meaningful democracy, than the fact that there is no major political party that opposes the genocide – despite massive public opposition.
The bought and paid for media and political class in the west are extremely nervous, throughout the western world. Now they have come to the final genocide for which zionism has always aimed, they face a good deal of popular resistance……
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2023/10/fascism-in-the-west-to-enable-genocide-in-palestine/comment-page-1/#comment-1046219
Blair should have been sent to the ICC for committing a war of aggression. That and only that would have put leaders on notice that there ARE rules to be followed or they personally take responsibilty (I understand that the USA, Russia and israel don’t recignise the ICC).
Chris Hedges……
‘This Way for the Genocide, Ladies and Gentlemen’
I have been in urban warfare in El Salvador, Iraq, Gaza, Bosnia and Kosovo. Once you fight street by street, apartment block by apartment block, there is only one rule — kill anything that moves. The talk of safe zones, the reassurances of protecting civilians, the promises of “surgical” and “targeted” air strikes, the establishment of “safe” evacuation routes, the fatuous explanation that civilian dead were “caught in the crossfire,” the claim that the homes and apartment buildings bombed into rubble were the abode of terrorists or that errant Hamas rockets were responsible for the destruction of schools and medical clinics, is part of the rhetorical cover to carry out indiscriminate slaughter….
https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/this-way-for-the-genocide-ladies
‘Egypt warned Israel days before Hamas struck, US committee chairman says’
Israel was warned by Egypt of potential violence three days before Hamas’ deadly cross-border raid, a US congressional panel chairman has said.
House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee head Michael McCaul told reporters of the alleged warning.
“We know that Egypt has warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen,” Mr McCaul told reporters following a closed-door intelligence briefing on Wednesday for lawmakers about the Middle East crisis, according to AFP news agency.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67082047
“Terrorists” are defined not by proscription but by their actions. Hamas are unequivocally terrorists. Yet look at the actions of the Israeli government and it is difficult to conclude anything other than that they too warrant being labelled with the term.