Ben Sellers

**Coming to Redhills Durham this Saturday. Really looking forward to it.**

We are the Lions, Mr Manager!

The story of Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick Strike

Written by Neil Gore & Directed by Louise Townsend.

Tickets here: redhillsdurham.org/event/we-are...

Hmm. I’m not sure that’s how a ceasefire works …

Momentous mistakes: ten Momentum failures and what we might learn from them. Momentum was, in my eyes, one of the big, missed opportunities of the Corbyn project, yet it’s hardly discussed in the major narratives of the movement. It’s like it’s been buried. I th…

My latest blog on The World Turned Upside Down:

Momentous mistakes - ten Momentum failures and what we might learn from them: theworldturnedupsidedownne.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/m...

What’s kind of ironic, because they don’t seem to realise it yet, but in this, they have an ally in Sir Keir Starmer & his government. (4/4)

It’s mostly men, but we have a real problem in this country with people who cannot cope with opposition & challenge. Their answer is to shut it down, call it treachery, demand deportations & imprisonment. (3/4)

Like spoilt children, they want to be able to do all the damage they want, and never be held accountable for it. (2/4)

🧵 The point about this protest isn’t that Britain First or the two men invading the pitch were trying to prove Gary Neville wrong, but that voicing an opinion in opposition to the far right-led, ‘raise the flags’ nonsense is “treachery”. (1/4)

The IDF are still acting with complete impunity, in case there was any doubt. Yesterday, they killed 11 members of the same Palestinian family in Gaza, the largest single violation of the “ceasefire” since it took effect 8 days ago. 7 children and 3 women were among those killed.

There is a whole load of cultural capital / soft power that Israel relies on for its fictional ‘acceptance’ as a liberal, western state, a bastion of democracy in the Middle East. They just cannot let that crumble. 7/7

The logic is, if Maccabi fans can be stopped, what next? Eurovision? UEFA & FIFA competions? Other sporting events? 6/7

They want & need that public pressure to die down now, so we can get back to the occupation as normal - hence the need to wade in to stop this wedge issue in its tracks. 5/7

They are sensing the way the wind is blowing, with big public opposition to Israel & the beginnings of a far greater support for boycotts & divestments against Israel, despite the ceasefire. 4/7

It’s an interesting question. I think a major reason is the pressure he’s getting from some of the establishment Jewish organisations in the UK, like the Jewish Leadership Council / Board of Deputies & establishment media like the Jewish Chronicle to overturn the decision. 3/7

It’s unlikely, so why make this such a matter of national importance, with ‘summits’ & diplomatic efforts that resolve the situation - and potentially cause an even worse security situation when the match finally does take place? 2/7

🧵 We know Starmer has thrown his lot in with Zionist Israel, but why is he going in so hard in defence of a load of Israeli football hooligans? Would he do the same for violent, racist supporters of any other nation, or even our own? 1/7

Starmer says 'intifada' chant is 'call to attack' Jewish people Prime minister's claim comes as government prepares new crackdown on pro-Palestine protests

@MiddleEastEye article: www.middleeasteye.net/news/starmer... 7/7

They don’t fundamentally care about Jewish communities - only what political advantage they can get from using them. They have been successful in that partly because there hasn’t been enough scrutiny or kickback. We have to continue to expose this dishonesty. #FreePalestine 6/7

Language matters & Starmer & his amoral colleagues on the Labour benches know what they are doing when they stigmatise our language & our slogans. It is about driving a wedge between communities & stoking culture wars, particularly using antisemitism in those manoeuvres. 5/7

‘Globalise the Intifida’ isn’t something to be scared of. It is a fundamental part of an internationalist outlook that has a long and proud tradition - that we take action in solidarity with people directly resisting violence & oppression - all over the world. 4/7

We are not under occupation, but Israel uses its international support to act with impunity & normalise occupation, apartheid & ethnic cleansing. 3/7

In the international context, ‘Globalise the Intifada’ means spreading civil disobedience against Israel’s interests across the world, including mass protests, boycotts & direct action. 2/7

In the Palestinian context ‘Intifada’ means civil disobedience & resistance against an occupying force. Living under that occupation, Palestinians have the right to self-defence under international law, incl the use of force in defence of their cities, villages & communities. 1/7

Of course we’re all relieved that Israel are out of the World Cup, unable to qualify after another defeat, 3-0 against Italy. But they should never have been in the competition, not during a genocide in #Gaza. Shame on FIFA for their hypocrisy & complicity. #FreePalestine

They got me. 😂

We need to get democracy & accountability right from the start. I’ve joined with Eric Barnes, Mike Forster, Ian Hodson, Ken Loach, Audrey White & Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi to write an Open Letter to those currently leading ‘Your Party’. Add your name here: shorturl.at/Iv4xA

Palestinians search Gaza rubble for loved ones in ceasefire, return home Displaced Palestinians return to the ruins of homes, driven by loss, defiance and the will to rebuild.

Tragically, I think we’ll now see a more accurate reflection of the loss of civilian life in Gaza, as displaced Palestinians return to the bombed out, flattened landscape they used to call home & search through the rubble.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

I have friends & comrades at this conference. To call them transphobes is nonsense akin to the antisemitism weaponisation. When will we learn that the answer to complex differences on the left isn’t simplistic sloganeering, toxic labelling or violence but real, honest discussion?

Geordies are Black & White.

#StopTheFarRight

“Despite these acts of aggression, the flotilla continues its course with determination.

Our mission remains clear: to challenge Israel's illegal siege on Gaza, stand with the Palestinian people, and deliver aid to a besieged population facing starvation and genocide.”

Launching our new publication by Ben Crawford & Jamie Houghton: Shareholders' Rights v Workers' Rights! The ERB is a big step for workers - but can it succeed without tackling corporate law & shareholder power? Blog: www.ier.org.uk/comments/emp...