A Jewish comedian and writer has been excluded from a North London writers’ group because of his Zionist beliefs, prompting UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to warn that the decision could breach the Equality Act 2010. The dispute has also resulted in the cancellation of a literary event organised by the writer, The Jerusalem Post reports
Harry Deansway, whose real name is Joshua Rinkoff, had attended the Offbeat Writers Group for six months without difficulties before a disagreement arose with organiser Ruby Sullivan in late September.
Following an online comment about antisemitism, Sullivan contacted Deansway to explain that she was strongly pro-Palestinian and believed the group should reflect that position.
“If our opinions on this don’t align it will affect our working together,” she wrote, adding that maintaining a pro-Palestinian environment was important to her.
Deansway replied that he was Jewish and a Zionist but was willing to discuss their differences. He stressed that supporting Jewish self-determination did not prevent him from opposing Israeli government policies or recognising Palestinian suffering.
“I can be a Zionist, which at its core is to believe in the right to Jewish self-determination in their ancestral land,” he explained, while also opposing actions that caused suffering to others.
Sullivan rejected his explanation, accusing his beliefs of supporting “the massacre of an entire population”. She also accused him of using concerns about women’s and gay rights to advance his political position.
“I don’t think there is a place in the Offbeat Writers’ Group for you because of this,” she told him.
Sullivan subsequently indicated that she intended to introduce an ideological declaration for prospective members, based on a London anti-apartheid commitment, so applicants would understand the group’s political principles before joining.
Lawyers Warn of Possible Unlawful Discrimination
On October 6, UKLFI sent Sullivan a formal letter warning that excluding Deansway because of his beliefs could constitute unlawful discrimination.
The organisation argued that the Equality Act 2010 protects Deansway through his Jewish ethnic identity, religious practices and philosophical beliefs concerning Jewish self-determination.
UKLFI also raised concerns about Sullivan’s statement that, given the suffering Jews had experienced historically, they should not wish to inflict similar suffering on others.
The legal organisation argued that this language held Jewish people collectively responsible for actions attributed to Israel, conduct identified as an example of antisemitism under the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition.
The disagreement also affected a literary showcase Deansway had arranged for October 13 at Bar Gemist.
After Sullivan withdrew from the event and other performers followed, the venue cancelled the booking by October 2. Management explained that the original arrangement had been made because of the event’s association with Sullivan and the writers’ group.
UKLFI subsequently warned the venue that the cancellation could also amount to unlawful discrimination.
However, directors Marion Zoelle and Uroš Dežutelj rejected the allegation in a response dated October 10. They maintained that their decision resulted from changes to the programme and communication difficulties, rather than Deansway’s Jewish identity or political views.
The directors said Deansway remained welcome at the venue but refused to restore the booking. They also indicated that they would defend themselves against any legal proceedings.
A UKLFI spokesperson strongly criticised the exclusion, describing it as “McCarthyism dressed up as progressive politics”.
“A Jewish writer has been subjected to an ideological loyalty test and excluded because he believes in Jewish self-determination,” the spokesperson said.
The organisation emphasised that people were entitled to oppose Zionism but argued that this did not justify excluding Jewish individuals from cultural activities because of their protected beliefs.
“Jewish artists should not have to pass a political purity test to participate in London’s cultural life,” the spokesperson added.
The Offbeat Writers Group had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Photo credit: Courtesy
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