LH to Rosie Winterton,
Parliamentary Whip 04/11/2015: Subject: re: Gerald
Kaufmans comments about Jews and money. "Dear Madam, I wish
to draw your attention to the latest faux pas by Gerald Kaufman about the
Jewish people. Since before the birth of the State of Israel in 1948,
there has always been a problem within the Labour Party with anti-Semitism with
the likes of Ernest Bevin and Aneurin Bevan having battles with one of our
heroes Manny Shinwell. Not forgetting the Labour Government's treatment of
Jewish refugees from Europe as shown in the film "Exodus" written by
Leon Uris, which was compared with the treatment by the Nazis. We have had the
anti-Semitism from other Labour MP's in recent years like Ken Livingstone,
Dennis Skinner, and George Galloway (before he set up the oddly named Respect
Party) Now under Mr. Corbyn (Corbane in Hebrew means sacrifice), the Labour
Party has returned to those dark days. For a Jewish person such as Gerald
Kaufman to refer to his own people like he has, in a fashion of self-hatred
(closely followed by the Milliband brothers) is much worse and I could not put
into print my feelings about this. I have spent my life from being insulted at
junior school (as a nine year old in 1956) onwards having to deal with
anti-Semitic remarks, buying an evening newspaper(opposite Monument Station)
during the 6 day war with the vendor casually
remarking "Hitler should have killed all the Jews when he had the chance",
to walking through a school playground (I am a teacher) in Bethnal Green in
recent years and hearing a couple of young Asian children (probably from
Pakistan) shout "death to the Jews", which was reported to the
police. Why should MPs' have immunity from prosecution for racial
incitement? Why should Galloway have won a court case when accused of such last
year?
Yours sincerely"
RW: Date: 25 November 2015 at
15:46, From: Opposition Chief Whip <oppositionchiefwhip@
Dear Mr Hoppen, Thank you for your
correspondence with regard to Sir Gerald Kaufman MP. As I am sure
you know, Jeremy Corbyn issued the following statement: “Sir Gerald Kaufman
comments about the Jewish community, the Conservative party and Israel are
completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable. Such remarks are damaging
to community relations, and also do nothing to benefit the Palestinian cause. I
have always implacably opposed all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and
Islamophobia and will continue to do so. At my request, the Chief Whip
has met Sir Gerald and expressed my deep concern.” As Jeremy said in his
statement, I met with Sir Gerald and have made clear the Labour Party’s view on
this matter to him. Yours sincerely, Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Opposition
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MS: Dear LH, Perhaps we
ought not invest in picking on our fellow Jews, especially when we're dealing
with such a deprived individual as Gerald Kaufman. Our resources could be
put to so much better use, were to turn our attention to the potential
hundreds if not thousands of little " Gerald Kaufmans" growing up in
the UK Jewish community. If you can see what I am driving at, you will
surely agree with my position.
LH: The problem is where do we find
them and what can we do about them. Gerald Kaufman has put his head above the
parapet. My wife's cousin works for the BBC news team, has married out (to a
very nice girl-they met at the BBC), and has anti-Israel views , akin with
those of the BBC. In this situation I find there is no use in trying to change
his views. He is steadfast. He has been to Israel (in his younger days) and
perhaps he did not then have the same views that he has now.
MS: Forget about your cousin.
Remember all those youngsters who are going to land a job at the BBC and who
are still in school / college. It is these teenagers that need to be
targeted with pure Judaism; no frolicky activities, no barn dances and none of
the salt herring parties - just plain old Torah study!
LH: As it happens I was having a
chat with Rabbi Wollenberg yesterday about the Chief Rabbi's initiative to add
the leading of services as part of the barmitzvah study programme. In my
opinion it will help shul attendances if people can follow the service. I then
suggested that in my next speculative application for a job at King Solomon
School to be a business studies/economics/accounts teacher, I could add the
suggestion to volunteer my services to help these barmitvah boys. It would also
help me to hone my skills from what I was learning with Chaim Ritvo.
I would not be skilled enough with
Torah study, nor do I think that kids have it in mind to work for the BBC.
Sometimes random events just take kids into these places.
MS: Very well put. Can we
start with once a month session at SYDTTW? It will only take 60 minutes of
your time.
LH: But it will take a round 3
hours of travelling time, unless there is transport
MS: Three hours every month isn't
too bad
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