Jewish Socialists' Group

The Jewish Socialists' Group (JSG) is a Jewish socialist collective in Britain, formed in the 1970s.

Jewish Socialists' Group
Founded1970s
AffiliatedInternational Jewish Labor Bund
Website
jewishsocialist.org.uk
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History

JSG was founded in Manchester/Liverpool in 1974-1977 as a lobby group campaigning against the fascist National Front and for the left to relate more positively to Jewish issues. A London branch formed in 1977.[1] They describe themselves as a political organisation campaigning for Jewish rights and the rights of all oppressed minorities in building a socialist future.[2]

The JSG supported the original Anti-Nazi League and was active in street-level militant anti-fascism. It participated in the Beyond the Fragments conference which sought to renew democratic socialism.

In the early 1980s, it was active in campaigning for peace in Israel/Palestine.

It developed a perspective via drawing on the tradition of the Bund, stressing Yiddishism, cultural pluralism and a commitment to the vitality of the diaspora.

In the mid-1980s, it became associated with the Greater London Council's municipal socialism and multiculturalism, receiving funding to launch Jewish Cultural and Anti-Racist Project (JCARP). Additionally, it was frequently in conflict with the Jewish communal leadership and in particular, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen (AJEX).

The JSG has been critical of allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party, stating in April 2016:

“Accusations of anti-Semitism are currently being weaponised to attack the Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour party with claims that Labour has a ‘problem’ of anti-Semitism... This is despite Corbyn’s longstanding record of actively opposing fascism and all forms of racism, and being a firm a supporter of the rights of refugees and of human rights globally." [3]

Publications

A magazine, Jewish Socialist, was launched in 1985, which continues publication today.[4]

See also

References
  1. "About - Jewish Socialists' Group". www.jewishsocialist.org.uk.
  2. "About - Jewish Socialists' Group". www.jewishsocialist.org.uk.
  3. Parker, George (28 April 2016). "Corbyn under pressure to stamp out Labour party anti-Semitism". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  4. "Jewish Socialist - Jewish Socialists' Group". www.jewishsocialist.org.uk.
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