The Morning Star publishes the speech by writer and editor JULIA BARD of the Jewish Socialists’ Group given at the paper’s annual conference at the weekend
IT’S Hanukah, the Jewish festival of lights and enlightenment. At this time, we commemorate the Maccabean Revolt — a guerilla struggle by ordinary Jews for their right to self-determination against pressure to assimilate from Greek imperial authorities and the Hellenised priests of their own community.
Of course this story is interpreted in many ways, and people from the whole range of Jewish views, conservative and liberal, reformist and revolutionary, nationalist and internationalist, like the rabbis arguing in ancient times, all assert that it validates their conflicting perspectives.
For radical Jews, this diversity and discussion, the argument and teasing out of ideas, is our precious heritage.
The pioneering activist understood that freedom could only be won through solidarity across communities. Her legacy offers vital lessons at a time when progressive politics risks losing that shared purpose
The Morning Star republishes PRAGNA PATEL’s speech at the annual commemoration of Claudia Jones on February 22 2026
SALEEM BADAT and VASU REDDY introduce a new book about an outstanding interpreter of the world, and an activist scholar committed to changing society
NICK MATTHEWS previews a landmark book launch taking place in Leicester next weekend



