From Hastings Jews for Justice

We are a new group in Hastings and surrounding districts formed amidst the unfolding genocide in Gaza with the aim of holding our political leaders to account for the quality of debate and discussion around both Israel/Palestine and racism in this country.  

As a broad coalition of Jews and those of Jewish heritage we hold a variety of opinions but share views on how the nature and content of political discourse in this country in recent years has failed both to uphold the principles of justice and protect and defend our communities and values.

To that end, we have set out five pledges which we believe political candidates and leaders in our community should agree to in the interests of respect and community harmony.

We are calling on all Parliamentary candidates for the 2024 General Election to:

  1. Recognise and understand that Jewish people, like those from all communities, hold a range of views on key issues and these need to be respected.
  2. Listen to and consult with a range of Jewish community groups holding differences of opinion on the occupation in Israel/Palestine.
  3. Call out and fight all instances of racism – including antisemitism and Islamophobia – in our communities and within political discourse.     
  4. Refrain from exploiting antisemitism to promote or justify particular policies or political agendas.
  5. Commit to measured and factual discussion about Israel/Palestine, acknowledging the real harm to our communities of using inflammatory or misleading rhetoric. 

We encourage all prospective parliamentary candidates for the two constituencies in our area – Hastings & Rye and Bexhill & Battle – to sign our pledges in order to ensure the highest quality political discourse during the campaign and beyond.

We believe that committing to a fair, just and respectful code of conduct is itself a good step towards contributing positively to our community, laying the foundations for trust and confidence in our political leadership.

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Signed, NAME & POSTCODE ESSENTIAL

Katy Colley, author

TN31 6DY

Polly Gifford, Director, Sanctuary Festival

TN38 0QU

Shelley Feldman, TN34 1RT

Lesley Levane, retired Community Development Worker and former councillor, 

TN38 0JY

Erica Smith, TN38 0QE

John Lynes, retired university lecturer,  TN37 6EU

Ann Kramer, author TN34 3JB

Teresa Thornhill, writer, TN37 6LS

Richard Wistreich, university professor, TN34 1TF

Katharine Shapiro, TN34 3LZ

Peter Bolwell   solicitor   TN34 1UJ

Reuben Ramsay, TN37 6AY

Krissie Nicolson, TN38 0LX

Maya Shapiro Steen, TN34 3NH

Anthony Flaum, Opera singer & producer, TN37 6PT

Felicity Laurence, retired university lecturer, TN34 1TF

Antonia Berelson, Nurse, TN38 9DA 

Harvey Gillman, TN31 7NY

Cllr Paul Barnett, Leader of Hastings Independents and former Leader of the Council, TN34 3JL

Rachel Lever, TN38 0EG

Yair Katz, Music therapist, TN38 0PJ 

Emily Johns, Artist, TN38 0HE

Nicole Falber, Artist, TN38 0QN


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