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JVL calls for charity status of CAA to be revoked
Maureen Lipman speaking at a demonstration organised by the Campaign Against Anti-semitism

A LEFT-WING Jewish group has written to the Charity Commission to challenge the charitable status of the “politically partisan” group Campaign Against Anti-semitism (CAA).

Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) has made a formal complaint to the watchdog, which it is now investigating.

JVL argues that CAA is a “highly politically partisan organisation which does not deserve charitable status” and tax breaks that such status brings.

It added that CAA’s conduct has “generated fear and division within Jewish communities and between Jews and other UK citizens, in particular Muslims.”

In its complaint, JVL cited CAA’s “defamatory attacks” on former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. It added that CAA has “distorted, paraphrased and decontextualised his words and actions,” made “malevolent insinuations” and made “downright and demonstrably false” allegations.

JVL also mentions “inaccurate and insulting attacks” this year on Palestinian author and academic Dr Ghada Karmi, a survivor of the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes by Israeli forces in 1948.

Dr Karmi had written in an article earlier this year that the pro-Israel lobby had “dealt the final blow” to Mr Corbyn’s bid to be elected Prime Minister by having “transformed [Mr Corbyn] by this propaganda into a racist and anti-semite.”

CAA called her statements “anti-semitic” on its website, adding that it would be writing to the University of Exeter and General Medical Council for her to be sacked.

JVL said that CAA’s attempts to get Dr Karmi disciplined had been unsuccessful.

JVL co-chair Jenny Manson said that CAA’s action since its inception in 2014 had “a great deal to do with defending Israel against legitimate criticism while impugning the integrity of Mr Corbyn and his allies and associates in the Labour Party.”

A CAA spokesperson told the Star: “CAA is a non-partisan charity dedicated to combatting anti-semitism across society, including across all political parties, without fear or favour.

“Our work in pursuit of our charitable objects has always complied with charity law, and the Charity Commission’s previous rulings confirm this.

“By contrast, JVL, as everyone in the mainstream Jewish community knows, is an anti-semitism-denial group and sham Jewish representative organisation which has set out to whitewash institutional anti-semitism within the Labour Party.

“All of its activities should be viewed in that light, not least this complaint, which is yet another tired attempt to recycle claims, including many which have been considered and rejected by the Charity Commission before.”

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