Growing the Jewish Bloc for Palestine
JVL Introduction
We are pleased to share this account of developing the growing intergenerational Jewish Bloc for Palestine, for justice, rights and freedom. The Jewish Bloc on the national marches calling for a Ceasefire Now! is warmly welcomed by all. Bard and Rosenberg contrast the Jewish Bloc against the bombardment with the approach of the Jewish Establishment. In common with more and more Jews throughout the world, progressive, anti racist Jews in the UK are standing loud and proud and saying “Not In Our Name”. Through common action for justice for all, our strength will grow and our links with our Muslim comrades and the many others who face discrimination will be deepened; together we are determined to make the change we all need.
LL
This article was originally published by Morning Star on Sat 23 Dec 2023. Read the original here.
For your freedom and ours
JULIA BARD and DAVID ROSENBERG explain how weekly pro-Palestine demos have seen a distinct Jewish bloc coalesce in solidarity with Gazans and in opposition to all forms of racism
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Thanks to Julia and David for celebrating the growing awakening of Jews critical of Israel’s murderous government. But how disappointing that in an article about growing unity, only two Jewish groups are mentioned. I’ve today been on a Jewish bloc within the weekly Leeds ceasefire march, uniting members of JVL, Na’amod, Zeudah Leeds queer Jewish collective, and individuals not involved in any of those. I cannot share this article with them because it dismisses by omission all these other organisations that have also existed since before October. I long for discussion of how best to engage in developing this current Jewish expression of solidarity with the oppressed, and this current disgust with Israel’s pretensions to represent Jewish tradition. When and how to approach synagogues, mainstream Jewish cultural organisations, and Jewish individuals not yet involved? Now is clearly a time at which these approaches can be made more than most times Which issues to make fundamental in these discussions, if any beyond immediate ceasefire, and which to encourage diversity on? What educative roles do each of the non-Zionist organisations bring to the table of solidarity with Palestinians and demands for a ceasefire? What have been the discussions at national level between the different organisations currently in the Jewish Bloc, which those of us outside London can learn from and contribute to? there is so much more to positively celebrate and learn from!
Solidarity!
It’s great to hear what’s happening in London, but it’s also important to get the message out elsewhere. In most towns and cities, there aren’t enough left wing Jews to form a local Jewish Bloc, but that doen’t mean we should either stay at home when local demos are organised, or just go along with everyone else and not identify as Jewish.
Here in Nottingham, we’ve tried to ensure that every demo has at least one Jewish speaker and when we’ve started off by saying that we’re Jewish and that all Jews don’t support Israel, this has been greeted with cheers and applause every time. When we’ve finished, people – and especially young Muslims – come up to shake our hands.
You don’t have have a long speech prepared: just say you’re Jewish and always stand with the oppressed, never with the oppressors and that’ll be enough!
Great to hear about the organised Jewish presence in places other than those mentioned in the article. Our piece was written to a tight deadline and we needed to cut several hundred words from our draft – so the focus was on the activities we did collectively and perspectives we shared. Rather than listing/describing each of the individual groups. In the print edition we were very pleased that the Morning Star used pics from Edinburgh and Manchester as well as London!
So heartening and welcome to read this. I’m not Jewish but am a fervent supporter of Jewish Voice for Peace, but since their actions are in the US it’s easy to feel isolated in the UK, especially in Pembrokeshire where pro-Palestinians are thin on the ground.
To large credit, many people have marched in solidarity with beleaguered Palestinians.
The Jewish bloc represents a positive step.
It unites critical Jews in multiple UK regions who demand a Gaza immediate ceasefire.
But Netanyahu vows to continue his war slaughter for countless months ahead.
As thousands more die, amid the constant bombs and aid siege, rallies need a boost.
The bloc could maximise cooperation with gentiles who make the same urgent call.
Six million voters remain unsure about their support at the next general election.
Indeed one perhaps set for the spring.
Significant constituencies include enough Muslims or Jews to influence the outcome.
This offers potential clout that could force Starmer to call a halt on the IDFs carnage.
With Islamic and different groups, the bloc might help run campaigns in these seats.
Change looms on evidence that ceasefire backers may cost Labour dear at the polls.
The government in turn would face pressure to follow suit, or suffer losses.
And pressure grows amid the coming presidential fight in the US, israel’s big ally,
Climbdowns here would send timely warning shots across Washington’s bows.
Can you tell me how to get information about jewish blic . I will be com8ng to London from Sheffield fir demo on 13th
WE will publish information here on how to join the bloc on the 13 January march as soon as the details are agreed
There are Inter-Faith groups in cities which MAY help lone individuals (from Jewish or other faiths) find like-minded companions to work with when trying to stop the genocide in Gaza.
These groups have often worked together for 20 plus years on interfaith relationship-building and on initiatives of common concern (eg anti-poverty and services to asylum-seekers and the homeless). Individuals within them know well and trust their opposite numbers in Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Christian communities, etc. They know the particular strengths and assets of different “congregations” (our local Sikhs are the “go to” community for organising any joint initiatives to feed the city’s destitute, for example).
Could a local Interfaith Group help lone individuals increase their impact in planning local activities to stop the killings in Gaza and change the “hearts and minds” of local politicians?
I arrived here via Alexei Sayle’s Christmas message and in that, along with this I find something I can align with as a secular Jew who has been attending the London marches.
At the risk of stating the obvious, open hearted sentiments like this have been pretty thin on the ground in the news lately.
Thank you!