Guido can reveal that Graham Jones, the former Member of Parliament for Hyndburn, who is seeking to be re-elected for the seat again, repeatedly referred to “f**king Israel” and even ranted to Azhar Ali at the now infamous Lancashire meeting that Britons who volunteer to fight for the Israeli Defence Forces “should be locked up”. He claimed – falsely – that it was illegal for Brits to fight for Israel. This is untrue.
Many British Jews with dual citizenship have gone to Israel to fight in what is an existential fight for the Jewish homeland and it is entirely wrong to claim they are doing so illegally. Despite Keir Starmer himself saying Israel has a right to self-defence it is a widespread belief in parts of the Labour Party – as per this recording – that like fighting for ISIS terrorists fighting for the IDF is a crime. The claim that it is unlawful is an unfounded smear.
According to Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office):
“The UK recognises the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationalities. The Israel Defence Force is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the Israel Defence Force and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the Israel Defence Force.”
When Israel was attacked Keir Starmer was firm in that the Labour Party supported Israel’s right to self defence. Can that be credible if one of his candidates is demanding British Jews are locked up for fighting for “f**king Israel”?
UPDATE: Sara Britcliffe Tory MP for Hyndburn tells Guido:
“At a time of increasing community tensions, it is the responsibility of all of us in politics to be careful with the language we use. We need immediate answers from those seeking to represent Hyndburn about whether they challenged Mr Ali. Creating community cohesion is essential and this quite frankly does the complete opposite. This is a clear example that the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer has not changed at all.”
Awkward questions for Richard Burgon to answer. He repeatedly denied to Andrew Neil saying that “Zionism is the enemy of peace” and said over and over that he wouldn’t have said that because it’s not his view. Here he is expressing his view that “Zionism is the enemy of peace”. He also says Zionists are the enemy of Palestinians. Brillo gave him every opportunity to correct the record, instead Burgon lied…
Hat-tip: video uncovered by Iggy Ostanin, @magnitsky
https://youtu.be/GNKlm1TPjLA&rel=0
At the Labour Friends of Israel event last night the Israeli ambassador Mark Regev was introduced by the newly slimline deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson. Watson stood in solidarity with LFI chair Joan Ryan saying she was being “hounded out by people that have only just joined the Labour party.” Regev said “From Attlee to Wilson to Foot, from Kinnock to Blair to Brown, Labour leader’s have supported Zionism’s cause because it is an anti-racism cause.” The video clip is of the ambassador taking a gentle pop at the current Labour leader. Neatly done…
Video: Spectator
Mark Regev, Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, braved the hostile chanting protestors outside the Hilton Metropole to address the Labour Friends of Israel reception last night in Brighton. Emily Thornberry told the attendees: “Jeremy’s not attending any receptions this evening because he’s got a big speech tomorrow.” Well Jezza is 68 years old, perhaps it was best he got an early night ahead of the big speech…
Hold on, here’s Jezza at the Mirror’s party:
Well that was fun. Shouts of ‘Oh Jeremy Corbyn’ for the Mirror party… pic.twitter.com/YISSmCA5zW
— Dan Bloom (@danbloom1) September 26, 2017
Almost like he preferred to boycott Israel and not show solidarity with the Israeli Labour Party. Oh Jeremy…
Meanwhile over at the Labour Business Reception they awaited their keynote speaker’s address to the brave suits who support Labour. Formerly the Labour Finance and Industry Group, it was founded by Harold Wilson in 1972, and has been the channel for business to the party through thick and thin. When Gordon Brown was shadow chancellor and even chancellor in government, he made sure to always put in an appearance at the event. Marxist McDonnell was a no show and instead they had to make do with an address from Stephen Kinnock…
UPDATE: Corbyn also made it to Unite’s party. Thornberry wasn’t telling the truth.
UPDATE II: Jezza also managed an after midnight appearance at Momentum’s The World Transformed party. The old boy has some stamina…
Responding to Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to go to notorious Israel hater Hatem Bazian’s book launch, Jennifer Gerber, Director of Labour Friends of Israel, told Guido Fawkes:
We find it strange that Jeremy Corbyn would think it’s appropriate to attend an event organised by a group who say the party he leads is “indebted to Jewish financiers with Zionist leanings”. We hope in future Jeremy will think more carefully about the organisations he associates himself with.
Joe Glasman, Head of Political and Government Investigations at Campaign Against Antisemitism also told Guido:
A week ago, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson admitted the presence of antisemitism in the Labour Party and promised firm action against it. It seems that this is Jeremy Corbyn’s response. Whilst other MPs were visiting Israel’s Holocaust memorial, Jeremy Corbyn said he was too busy. Instead, he has taken time out of his onerous schedule to meet Hatem Bazian, who has been closely associated with Islamist antisemitism in public, at an event held by a charity which organises an annual march in support of antisemitic genocidal terrorist group Hezbollah. This is unmistakable in its symbolism and signals that Jeremy Corbyn is defying Tom Watson and the Jewish community.
Terrible by-election result, awful opinion polls, another anti-Semitic incident. Good week for Jez…
