We in Academics for Palestine have been following with interest the events in the UKs Labour Party – in particular, charges of antisemitism against Labour Party activists who support Palestinian rights and/or are critical of Zionism/Israel and its methods. The slur of antisemitism is being used to shut down criticism of the State of Israel and its criminal actions, and through so doing, to evade accountability.

The latest episode in this saga has resulted in the expulsion from the Labour Party of our esteemed academic colleague, Professor Moshe Machover on spurious grounds and without due process. An intellectual, an Israeli and a Jew, but perhaps most significantly, an outspoken anti-Zionist, Professor Machover has a long and honourable record of standing for justice and against Zionism’s oppression and the crimes of the Israeli State. This position is part of a wider anti-imperialist and anti-racist stance by Professor Machover.

Machover’s expulsion is a worrying development for a number of reasons: it indicates a tacit acceptance by the British Labour Party of the conflation of antisemitism and antizionism – an entirely false equivalence being actively promoted for political ends; by following Israel’s agenda, the Labour Party has shown itself as being open to inappropriate political influence; it attempts to legitimise the political persecution of critics of Zionism and the State of Israel and has profound implications for freedom of speech and political thought – the bedrock of democracy. That the UK’s Labour Party would act as a proxy for the harassment of an Israeli Jew who criticises Israel would be farcical were it not so serious.

We write to lend our support to our colleague Professor Moshe Machover, to demand that he be reinstated with reparation made for the outrageous slur on his good name, that this witchhunting within the Labour Party is ended immediately. Further, we demand that a review is undertaken of the influence of Israel and its supporters within the party, particularly where Israel’s interventions overstep the bounds of acceptable diplomacy and instead constitute illicit political interference.

Academics for Palestine.
23 October 2017

The Dublin branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign in association with Academics for Palestine is honoured to host the launching of Irish journalist David Cronin’s new book, ‘Balfour’s Shadow: A Century of British Support for Zionism and Israel’ (Pluto, 2017). Join us to hear from David on Monday 23rd October 2017, at 7pm in The Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1.

Copies of the book will be available to buy at the event and David will be happy to sign them after his talk.

PLEASE JOIN, SHARE & INVITE YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK, THANKS!

About the Book

“His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object.”

This is the infamous Balfour Declaration, which began one hundred years of conflict with the Palestinian people. Penned in 1917 by British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, these words had an immense impact on history that still emanates a century later. In the controversial, fast-paced Balfour’s Shadow, David Cronin traces the story of the rhetorical and practical assistance that Britain has given to the Zionist movement and the state of Israel since that day. Skillfully and engagingly written, Balfour’s Shadow uses previously unreleased sources and archives to reveal a new side to an old story. Cronin focuses on important historical events such as the Arab Revolt, the Nakba and establishment of the state, the ‘56 and ‘67 wars, the Cold War, and controversial public figures like Tony Blair. Marking the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, Cronin provides a fascinating take on this oft-maligned, important history.

About the author

David Cronin is an Irish journalist and author who reports on the EU from Brussels. He has written for The Irish Times, The Guardian, Inter Press Service, TheJournal.ie, Electronic Intifada and others. His previous books include Corporate Europe: How Big Business Sets Policies on Food, Climate and War (Pluto, 2013) and Europe’s Alliance with Israel: Aiding the Occupation (Pluto, 2010).

Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent
“Cronin describes vividly how, by deception, Britain’s imperial designs and perceived need for international Jewish support in wartime gave birth to the Balfour Declaration of November 1917, which handed Arab Palestine to the Zionist Movement, as a ‘Jewish national home’ or Jewish state. Cronin examines Britain’s continuing pernicious, deadly and lucrative relationship with Israel, its political support for Israel’s war crimes, and theft of Arab land and the mutual arms trade.”

Nur Masalha, editor of Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies
“It is not surprising that each year the November anniversary of the Balfour promise is celebrated by British friends of Israel and mourned by millions of dispossessed Palestinian refugees. Speaking the truth about the catastrophic consequences of British support for Zionism, this amply documented book shows how Britain erected and for decades maintained the scaffolding that gave birth to a settler-colonial state in Palestine and the Palestinian Nakba. Acknowledging Britain’s moral responsibility towards the Palestinians is a key message of this timely and courageous book. A must read for those seeking truth and reconciliation in the Middle East.”

Organised by Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign in association with Academics for Palestine.