Sign up to condemn the expulsion of Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi from the Labour Party
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, articulate anti-racist, labour movement activist and fearless supporter of Palestinian rights, has been expelled from the Labour Party – not despite these qualities but because of them. Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) is proud to have Naomi as one of its founding members, and as its tireless media officer.
In suspending and then expelling Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi the party has disenfranchised the thousands of members who elected her to the National Executive Committee. They have been deprived of her voice as one of the nine directly elected constituency party representatives. This disregard for democracy is an attack not just on Naomi but on the rights of all members.
Naomi’s expulsion follows a pattern in which the those who disagree with the leadership’s policies are met not with counter-arguments but with silencing. Many honourable and principled socialists have had their memberships terminated. This is McCarthyism that will stand as one of the most shameful episodes in the party’s history. A party led by a senior lawyer has made breaking its own rules as well as denial of natural justice its signature modus operandi.
Disproportionately those who have been processed through Labour’s disciplinary sausage-machine have been Jews. Many of these have been disciplined for their statements on Palestine or on antisemitism. This is not accidental: many Jews are acutely conscious of the injustices done to and still being perpetrated against Palestinians by an Israeli state built on their subjugation. There is a fundamental difference between criticism of Israel and hostility to Jews. But now such criticism has become a disciplinary offence.
Naomi’s qualities are well understood among Party members. Her election was a vindication of the values that she exemplifies. She will be appealing against her expulsion, contesting the flimsy grounds on which it is based and challenging the factional bias evident in the timing of the action against her and the leaking of information about it to hostile media.
Please sign and share the statement below.
We condemn the expulsion of Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi from the Labour Party
A statement from current and former party members
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, a Jewish member of the Labour Party elected to the National Executive Committee in August 2022, was expelled from Party membership on 15th December.
Her expulsion, for an alleged rule breach more than a year earlier, disenfranchises the thousands of members who voted for her. They have been deprived of her voice as one of the nine directly elected constituency party representatives on the NEC. This arrant disregard for democracy comes as an attack not just on Naomi but on the rights of all members.
Large numbers of dedicated party activists, including prominent trade unionists and councillors, continue to be suspended, expelled or excluded from candidate selection. Naomi’s expulsion is a particularly flagrant example of the Party leadership’s extreme factionalism.
We are outraged at these denials of internal democracy. We demand Naomi’s reinstatement to the NEC.
This form is for individuals to sign.
Labour and trade union movement organisations and branches can endorse the statement here.
The signed statement will be sent to Keir Starmer, David Evans and the NEC.
Why oh why? Why do we continue to be represented by individuals who do not listen,
Utterly disgusting! Yet Starmer welcomes Jeremy Clarkson’s suppprt of Labour? Unbelievable!
I wonder what Moses would have made of the antics of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust. It doesn’t seem to me that what they are doing has much to do with the Jewish religion. In particular, I wonder why the prohibition on bearing false witness is so widely disregarded. The Labour Party may think that obeisance to all that undemocratic nonsense is going to get them elected, but I believe they are digging their own grave as a Party.
Me too,I am out until LP sorts itself.
I protest the expulsion from the Labour Party of a distinguished passionate committed campaigner against racism
How about making this a petition, like on Change.org or similar, and maybe raising some funds too (not that I’m suggesting a new legal challenge, but maybe to help reimburse previous ones).
If anything couldn’t be made clearer it’s that the Starmer gang of right-wing, careerists are also ideologically hand in hand with the neo-fascist wing of the Zionist movement in the expulsion of Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi.
Their moves are akin also to the methods utilised by the Stalinist gangsters who usurped their way to power in the Soviet Communist Party, firstly by expulsions then by murder to silence their opponents.
We have much to look forward to in the advent of a Starmer led government from these political maggots, don’t you think?
Please is there any form in support of Naomi that I could sign as a non-Labour party member who used to vote Labour?
This statement is for current and former Labour members only. You could write to the Keir Starmer [email protected] and David Evans [email protected] as an individual to tell them of your feelings.
Have signed. I was gutted to hear of Naomis expulsion. Words really fail me.
Seems to me the current leadership believes the end justifies the means. It won’t make any difference how many socialists you throw to the wolves, the press won’t love you.
As a committed anti-fascist I am appalled at this victimisation of a Jewish member of the Labour Party. This will be recorded as a sad and disgraceful period in Labour’s history ..
This expulsion of Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi is anti democratic and does nothing for anti-Semitism. Yet another depressing example of the Labour Party’s self-harm
Unfortunately, a predictable move by the Labour Party led by Starmer, demonstrating once again its thoroughly disgraceful and discriminatory behaviour. Solidarity to Naomi and form signed.
I thought democracy was dead in the Tory party but by comparison to the LP it thrives. Seeing the types running the LP and witnessing their antics it is possible to understand how nations can be lead astray by the actions of one man. The LP is following a prescription that will lead to very bad days ahead.
Disgraceful to the next level. Hot on the heels of the Labour Files and Forde Report. This is REAL antisemitism by the Labour Party.
This expulsion is appalling. How dare they remove an elected representative! It is now obvious that the right-wing of Labour are simply using the anti-semitism smear as a way to prevent the left from becoming a powerful force. Their main problem is not with antisemitism but with socialism. All forms of racism are of course odious it is the left that always fights against it the hardest.
The purge of pro Corbyn members and anti Zionist Jews shows the racism of the Labour Right, particularly against Muslims, and the pro imperialist position Labour has always taken. You can see this over the current immigration furore over the migrants using the Englush Channel where Starmer is lining up with the Tories. This should give the JVL a continuing important political role in the future even if many members have been expelled. Capitalism always uses the race card to divide us so JVL needs to continue to give leadership in this area as well as criticising Starmer’s collaboration with Tories over the current strike wave. Labour was built to defend the working class but know all can see how Labour betrays. All support to Naomi.
It will be honorable to be expelled for speaking in support of an expelled member of Naomi’s standing. (An expulsion level crime these days) I refuse to resign from my Party polluted by establishment entryists.
To expelling of long standing labour members for expressing a international anti racist veiw is wrong
The way hard working committed members of the Labour party are being expelled on somebody’s whim is a disgrace and needs to stop.
I agree with all of the above – particularly the comment
about Moses. Anyone who has read the “Abrahamic
religious scriptures” knows the regard the Jewish
prophets have for truth and justice – these scriptures
being shared by Christians and Muslims as well as Jews.
Those who are responsible for this – and other – injustices
appear to know nothing about such things and care even less.
As a (Roman Catholic) Christian I hear readings from these
Scriptures at Sunday Mass every week and note the stinging
criticisms by the prophets of Kings and Rulers, none of
whom were regarded as sacrosanct.
So what will keir do now ? Support the new Israeli government. His behaviour towards left wing Jews is outrageous.
I think Labour’s expulsion of Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi is a disgrace. My immediate family left Germany to escape the Nazi Holocaust, but neither I nor my Tory-voting Jewish grandparents could miss the appalling racism of hardline Israeli right-wingers and fundamentalists in oppressing and displacing Palestinians. My grandparents returned from a trip to Israel in the early 1970s identifying themselves as anti-Zionists who, after observing Israeli barbarism to Palestinians, swore never to return until peaceful coexistence could be achieved.
As Starmer has abandoned democracy in the LP then he is no better than Hitler who having been democratically elected gave up democracy and became a dictator.
What a disgusting party the Labour Party has become. Why have we let them steamroll over us like this?
She must be reinstated
I was very sorry to hear about Naomi’s case and feel in some way partly responsible as the organiser of the Resist Event session “McCarthyism in Starmer’s Labour” held on 27th Sept, 2021 at which Naomi spoke and which formed the basis for her expulsion. Naomi though is not alone.
There were six of us speaking at the session. In my own contribution I gave an overview of the Great Purge with an analysis of the numbers of individuals who have been dragged into Labour’s Kafkaesque disciplinary process. Roger Silverman gave a rousing speech on the weaponisation of anti-semitism, subsequently published by JVL on this website. Naomi spoke about a number of individuals who had been deliberately targeted by members of Labour’s GLU, now becoming just such a victim herself! Brian Cathcart, a professor of journalism, spoke about related cases who had been victims of serial smearing by the gutter pro-Zionist media, and not least the Jewish Chronicle, where there had in his words been a complete collapse in journalistic standards and a failure of media regulation. Duncan Shipley Dalton, a human rights barrister and former soldier, spoke eloquently about the lack of natural justice in Labour’s disciplinary procedures. The memorable phrase “Starmer Chamber” was coined that day to characterise the complete mockery of justice that Labour’s NEC panels had by then descended to. Duncan subsequently also fell victim to McCarthyism in Starmer’s Labour for speaking about McCarthyism in Starmer’s Labour! The final speaker, Esther Giles, spoke about the collapse in Labour’s finances as a result of the purge and mass exodus of party members.
Of the six speakers, three were already expelled or suspended/resigned, and two were subsequently terminated. If anyone is interested a video recording of the meeting can be found here.
https://mailchi.mp/theresistevent/find-out-how-to-watch-the-resist-event-online-4972030?e=e93d54d499
The news of Naomi’s expulsion left me with feelings of anger, contempt, revulsion – but mainly sadness. Sadness that someone who has given a big part of her life to create a better world should be treated in such a way.
The debased moral and political standards of those who control – not lead – the Labour Party beg a question, however: how should we, the people inside and outside the party who share Naomi’s convictions, respond to such behaviour?
I believe that sooner rather than later we have to address the fact that the party Is firmly in the hands of men and women who trample over their own Rules and the most basic precepts of democracy; people who are unwilling ( or unable?) to see the point of due process or tolerate differences of view.
Members of the Labour Party have for decades – as one “leader” after another betrayed the founding principles of democratic socialism – swallowed hard, lowered their head and stayed silent. To what end?
II think that we have now reached the point where members have to make an honest choice: either they continue to lend active or tacit support to a party which – day by day – increasingly exhibits the values and modes of behaviour which are the hallmarks of fascism, or they admit that the Labour Party is a dead end for socialism and resign their membership.
Keri Starmer and those who give him their support have brought the Labour Party to the point at which members cannot continue to avoid personal responsibility for what is being done in their name.
Simply lowering the head and hoping that things will change. For the better ducks that responsibility. I keep thinking about the words of Martin Niemoller on the dangers of staying silent.
It is wrong on so many levels and is not what the Labour Party stands for or what was set up for. Expulsion is a dirty response from morally lost people
It’s a disgrace perpetrated by a party that is not even recognisable as New Labour; under the current leadership it’s become the New Tory Party. I am ashamed to be associated with an organisation that acts like this.
Should I quit a racist labour party with vile closed racist disciplinary procedures, and probably racis immigration policies OR
Should I stay and fight?
Should I quit a racist labour party that is so right wing it will not invest in NECESSARY infrastructure because it night mean more taxes, for middle as well as wealthy people OR
Should I stay and fight?
Clearly many have left. Can Laobur afford to lose the rest?
Proportional representation might help resolve such dilemmas. If Labour leadership chickens out I will definitely leave.
I’m not a Labour Party supporter. (I recently left the LibDems) and I won’t join while it is led by a “Zionist without qualification” who supports colonial Zionism in its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians to build Zionist-only colonies.
Time for members to put the Party in order. Stop supporting Crimes against Humanity!
I oppose the party continued witch hunt of members on the left. I thought the party was a broad church party. Moreover i am really concerned by the gross unbalance of Jewish members being expelled. It does smack of antisemitism.
I have been forced to resign under the duress of being ‘under investigation’. I have a heart condition and could not stand the stress of it all
I agree, Naomi should be reinstated immediately.
Solidarity with Naomi Wimborne Idrissi and to all those wrongly accused of antisemitism by the Labour party.
I support the right to speak up on behalf of the Palestinian people without the fear of retribution or accusation of Anti-Semitism.
Good luck with this. It’s appalling that those who fight for peace and justice for all are purged from the Labour Party. Even more sinister that left wing Jews bear the brunt.
Totally irresponsible Kier.
Rethink immediately.
What the Hell is happening to the Labour Party. Reinstate Naomi NOW!
I think this is a disgraceful action… Labour seems to have taken leave of its senses… and instead allows itself to be dictated to by what is now a borderline fascist state of Israel… my husband is a Jewish member of the Labour Party but is sickened by what is happening in Israel and it’s reflection within the LabouR Party
The continuing expulsions of Jewish people from the Labour Party for anti-semitism is bringing the party into disrepute and must end.
Fully supportive of Naomi
We must stand up for free speech.
When I see the statements and behaviour of people in the ‘establishment’ who claim to be fighting anti-Semitism I’m increasingly convinced they are either stupid, or are in the the grip of very grave self-delusion, or are not interested in fighting it at all – they just seek to preserve whatever boondoggle they are into and this performance it what is currently required. The reason being – their very behaviour actually locks in anti-Semitism. These transparent episodes will now be endlessly used to ‘prove’ all the worst anti-Semitic tropes. Have they no shame or self-respect, or any concern whatsoever about the backlash they may induce? People like Naomi have the exact opposite effect. They are not fighting racism and oppression. She is. And the rest of us are not stupid. Selfish greedy fools.