“A multi-millionaire pro-Israel lobbyist donated $62,000 to help Keir Starmer win the UK Labour Party’s leadership election, it was revealed last week.”
“The official register of lawmakers’ financial interests shows that Trevor Chinn donated the sum as part of Starmer’s leadership campaign.”
“During the campaign Starmer said “I support Zionism without qualification.” Since his election he has tilted the party sharply towards Israel.”
“Starmer came under criticism for not disclosing all his donors during the campaign itself, when Labour members were deciding who should replace Jeremy Corbyn.”
“The donation from Chinn was not registered until five days after Starmer won the election, although it was received in February.”
“A retired auto industry mogul, Chinn has in the past funded both Labour Friends of Israel and Conservative Friends of Israel.”
“He also plays a leading role in the Israel lobby groups BICOM and the Jewish Leadership Council.”
“He donated to the Labour Party during the Tony Blair years, but mostly ended that relationship after Corbyn, a lifelong Palestinian rights supporter, won the leadership in 2015.”
“The exception to this was Chinn’s funding of anti-Corbyn Labour members of Parliament, including deputy leader Tom Watson, former BICOM staffer Ruth Smeeth and Labour Friends of Israel’s then chair Joan Ryan.”
“All three played key roles in promoting the smear campaign that Corbyn’s Labour Party was a hotbed of anti-Semitism.”
“Chinn’s $62,000 donation to Starmer’s campaign was the fourth highest amount from an individual donor – not including trade unions and companies.”
Read more: Israel lobbyist funded Labour’s new leader
2021-week26
