Robinson successfully defended his school from closure, fought for the unification of the teaching unions, mentored future trade union leaders and transformed teaching at the Marx Memorial Library, writes JOHN FOSTER

THE January 18 rally against Israel’s genocide in Gaza has received far more attention from the media than most of the more than 2,600 marches and protests that have taken place in the UK since October 7 2023 — and for all the wrong reasons.
For the most part, readers of mainstream media would hardly register even the largest protests week by week, except for the comments of opponents of the pro-Palestine movement aimed at demonising them as an expression of “hate.” But the latest National March for Gaza — which became a “static rally” after police restricted its movement because of complaints from pro-Israel groups — saw extensive media coverage after the Metropolitan Police claimed that those attending the rally on Whitehall “forced” their way through police lines and into Trafalgar Square then refused to disperse, and arrested dozens including some with violence, and charged at least 10 people so far.
I was at the front of that rally as it moved along Whitehall — and the Met’s claims about the conduct of those present are a wholesale falsehood, as an abundance of video evidence has since made clear.

The New York mayoral candidate has electrified the US public with policies of social justice and his refusal to be cowed. We can follow his example here, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE

Israel’s monopolisation of ‘aid’ to slaughter Palestinians means there is no other option: direct international intervention now, says CLAUDIA WEBBE

With missiles penetrating the air defences to strike Haifa and Tel Aviv, Netanyahu’s transparent appeal to Trump demonstrates the Israeli underestimation of Iranian retaliation, and they are desperate to drag their allies in, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE

Starmer should not need to wait for the High Court’s decision on F-35 parts in order to do the right thing, warns CLAUDIA WEBBE