Anger over SWP group ‘vigil’ over Jew hate
A DEMONSTRATION organised by leading members of the far-left Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in response to the antisemitic graffiti daubed in Hampstead and Belsize Park last month has sparked widespread anger.
The Stand Up To Racism group, widely recognised as an SWP front group, staged the ‘vigil’ on Hampstead’s Rosslyn Hill after graffiti showing the star of David alongside the numerals 9.11 were daubed on up to 12 different locations, including a wall at the South Hampstead Synagogue.
More than 100 people gathered for the demo on December 30th — but claims that the event was a mark of solidarity with the local Jewish community fell flat once it emerged that amongst those present were far-left supporters previously accused of antisemitism themselves, including Gerry Downing, a leading figure in the Socialist Fight group who was expelled from the Labour Party.
Meanwhile the JC overheard a steward who was wearing a yellow vest bearing the logo of the Stand Up To Racism organisation openly pointing to what he called “Zionist journalists” in attendance.
He was later identified as Sasha Simic , who has been a member of the SWP’s Hackney branch. Mr Simic did not respond to the JC when asked to clarify his comments about “Zionists”.
Mr Simic has previously written on social media the “antisemitism smear has shown lies and liars win.” He also wrote that the “people of Palestine are paying for European racism”.
The so-called “vigil” took place outside one of the buildings daubed with graffiti but attendees, some of who carried banners of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn Jewish Voice For Labour group, spilled over onto the pavement outside two kosher restaurants next door.
This led to angry exchanges of words between the organisers and Jewish business owners.
One restaurant owner, who gave his name as Alex, told the JC: “I’ve made it clear I don’t want these people here. They don’t speak for me.” Another local, who was returning from work and gave his name only as Jonathan, told the JC: “How dare these people stand here and claim to be speaking out on behalf of Jewish people facing the reality of antisemitism.
“I have listened to these speeches and every single one has failed to address the reality of anti-Jewish racism. They are seriously suggesting that if Jews turn all their attention to campaigning against Islamophobia, and other forms of racism then somehow things are going to be alright.”
Another woman, who had apparently travelled to the demo believing it to be a legitimate protest against the rise of anti-Jewish racism, later wrote on social media: “Just had the misfortune to come to what I thought was a rally against antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead. Just had lecture from two people on the evils of Israel.”
The woman, who called herself Mrs Finchley on Twitter, added: “I was too shocked by the conversations I had with two women who both spoke to me about Israel. One told me the meeting was organised by the SWP. One man was shouting about BDS.”
In a speech delivered at the event, children’s author Michael Rosen, a former SWP supporter, claimed the event was an example of “unity in action.”
Repeatedly using the expression “chaverim”, the author read out a poem but also admitted it was “hard” for some to attend “a meeting like this.”
Rob Ferguson, a member of Newham SWP, said in his speech that arguments about the establishment of the state of Israel would have “made no difference at the gates of Auschwitz”.
He said: “My family includes Jews who were pro-Israel, who were not pro-Israel, who are religious, who are socialist, who are non-socialist.”
At one point, steward Mr Simic was overheard encouraging organisers to invite Herschel Gluck, the Charedi Shomrim president, to address the crowd. When asked about his decision to speak, Rabbi Gluck said he had spent his lifetime “fighting antisemitism.”
Another Hampstead resident described how she had been “screamed at” by one activist wearing a keffiyah who said “Israel is an apartheid state”.
She added: “Two years ago I had the misfortune to wander into the Al Quds Day march in central London. I would describe the atmosphere at Monday’s vigil as being very similar to the open hatred I encountered back then.”
Also present at Monday’s event was a paper seller from the Revolutionary Communist Group, which has repeatedly called for “no concession to Zionism” which they have called “racism through and through”.
Another speaker was Dr Louise Raw, a historian, who retweeted after the general election a claim that “Mossad” were behind allegations of antisemitism in Labour.
Last week local newspaper coverage of the demo — in publications including the Hampstead and Highgate Express, the Newham Gazette
Camden New Journal comparisons were drawn between the Stand Up To Racism event and the famous Cable Street demonstration against Oswald Mosley’s fascists in the East End in the 1930s.
Several readers contacted the JC to say they had complained about the attempt to link a far-left event with such a famous anti-fascist outpouring in local newspaper reports.
Weyman Bennett, a member of the SWP’s central committee and co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, later told the JC that he disassociated himself from any comments made about “Zionist journalists” by Mr Simic.
Mr Bennett added: “Anyone who is opposed to antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism is welcome to attend Stand Up To Racism events whether they are Zionist and non-Zionist.”
The police are continuing to investigate the graffiti incidents which were discovered on the evening of December 28th.
Rabbi Gluck said he had spent his lifetime fighting antisemitism’