We are former and current Labour members and supporters, from across the Jewish community and all sides of the party. We may disagree on policy, both domestic and international, but we are united by our unwavering commitment to anti-racism. We collectively feel a sense of disgust and frustration at the decision by the NCC to not expel Ken Livingstone from the party. Livingstone’s comments betray a party that was founded on the values of equality and inclusivity. His history of inflammatory remarks against our community – be it his suggestions that our community’s “wealth” determines our vote, or his recent smears of victims of the Holocaust – surely have no place in a progressive party.

The decision to allow him to remain a member presents us with an immediate dilemma about our future in the party. Despite pledges of “zero tolerance” on antisemitism, Labour has been found wanting when it truly matters. The Jewish community has a proud history with Labour, but this decision has thrown its future into jeopardy. We are sick of the complacency shown towards the prejudice we face. Enough is enough. We fully support the Jewish Labour Movement’s proposal to initiate a debate at Labour party conference in September 2017 promoting the expulsion of Livingstone from the party. We also support calls for an immediate review by the NEC of the decision. Lastly, we would like to thank those in the Labour party who have offered us messages of solidarity, and would urge those who disagree with this decision to call on their representatives to speak out against it publicly.



Luciana Berger MP

Jeremy Newmark

Nicky Gavron AM Former deputy mayor of London to Ken Livingstone

Lord Jonathan Kestenbaum

Rabbi Lea Muhlstein

Sir Trevor Chinn

Yonatan Higgsmith J-Voice and Momentum

Adrian Cohen Chair, LFI

Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild

Nick Sigler Former Labour party international secretary

Cllr Adam Langleben Barnet council

Anna Yearley

Cllr Barry Rawlings Barnet Labour

Andrew Dismore AM Ethan Schwartz

Jay Stoll

Emily Hilton

Joe Grabiner

Cllr Joe Goldberg Haringey Labour

Sarah Sackman Former Labour PPC, Finchley and Golders Green

Mike Katz Former Labour GLA candidate and councillor

Liron Velleman

Cllr Jane Black Bury Labour

Cllr Alon Or-Bach Barnet Labour

Cllr Neil Nerva Brent Labour

Lee Petar

Silke Goldberg

Ella Rose

And more than 1,000 others. Full list at www.jlm.org.uk/kenlivingstoneletter

