Labour party expels controversial Jewish 'antisemitic' activist

Tony Greenstein, an activist within the party, has repeatedly referred to Jews as Nazis.

By SHOSHANA KRANISH
Updated: FEBRUARY 23, 2018 10:29
A vote Labour sign is seen near the Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple in Whalley Range, Manchester, Britain April 20, 2017 (photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW YATES)
A vote Labour sign is seen near the Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple in Whalley Range, Manchester, Britain April 20, 2017
(photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW YATES)
The Labour party this week expelled Tony Greenstein from its ranks following several instances of harassment and antisemitism by the controversial activist.
Greenstein, a Jewish anti-Zionist, was removed as part of the party's effort to combat antisemitism among its members.
"His continued membership is at complete odds with our collective values of solidarity, tolerance and respect," the party's chair of its Jewish Labour Movement, Ivor Caplin, said.
Greenstein has repeatedly made controversial and damning statements, particularly concerning Jews and Israel. He has used the term "Zio idiots" to describe those who criticize him, and has compared Israeli Jews to white South Africans who propagated apartheid.

He has also referred to Jews as Nazis and consistently calls Jews "zios," a derogatory term for Zionist.
On his blog, Greenstein maintained that he was expelled not because of his antisemitic remarks, but because he is against Zionism.
"The allegations of ‘anti-Semitism’ in the Labour Party have nothing to do with anti-Semitism and everything to do with opposition to the racist creed of Zionism and support for the Palestinians," he wrote.
He also referred to Caplin as a "junior war criminal," but did not expand on this.