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Twitter must tackle 'vast swathes' of anti-Semitism, say MPs Jeremy Corbyn's response to anti-Semitism in Labour criticised by MPs
(about 3 hours later)
Twitter hosts "vast swathes" of hate speech and abuse aimed at Jews, and must do more to address anti-Semitism, a committee of MPs has said. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has not done enough to tackle anti-Semitism in the party, a committee of MPs has said.
The Home Affairs Select Committee report also said Jeremy Corbyn was not doing enough to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labour party. The Home Affairs Select Committee report criticised him for a lack of "consistent leadership" on the issue, which it said benefited people with "vile attitudes" towards Jewish people.
But he accused the committee of a "disproportionate" emphasis on Labour in its report. Mr Corbyn accused the committee of a "disproportionate" emphasis on Labour.
A Twitter spokesman said the company tackled hateful conduct "head on". The MPs also criticised Twitter, which they said hosted "vast swathes" of hate speech and abuse aimed at Jews.
The report by five Conservative, one SNP and three Labour MPs made unanimous recommendations to Twitter, the police and politicians in how to deal with and tackle anti-Semitism. Their report said the social network should do more to identify abusers. A spokesman for Twitter said it tackled hateful conduct "head on".
'Vile attitudes' The report by five Conservative, one SNP and three Labour MPs made unanimous recommendations to Twitter, the police and politicians on how to deal with and tackle anti-Semitism.
'Toxic atmosphere'
It said the failure of the Labour Party "consistently and effectively to deal with anti-Semitic incidents in recent years risks lending force to allegations that elements of the Labour movement are institutionally anti-Semitic".It said the failure of the Labour Party "consistently and effectively to deal with anti-Semitic incidents in recent years risks lending force to allegations that elements of the Labour movement are institutionally anti-Semitic".
In June, a report by the former director of human rights body Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti - who has since become a Labour peer and shadow attorney general - found the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".In June, a report by the former director of human rights body Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti - who has since become a Labour peer and shadow attorney general - found the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".
The committee's report criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for a lack of consistent leadership on the issue, which created a "safe space" for those with "vile attitudes". He did not fully appreciate "the distinct nature of contemporary anti-Semitism", it said. The committee's report said Mr Corbyn did not fully appreciate "the distinct nature of contemporary anti-Semitism".
The party was incompetent in dealing with members accused of anti-Semitism, it added.The party was incompetent in dealing with members accused of anti-Semitism, it added.
But Mr Corbyn hit back at the committee's findings and said the report's "political framing and disproportionate emphasis on Labour" risked undermining it.But Mr Corbyn hit back at the committee's findings and said the report's "political framing and disproportionate emphasis on Labour" risked undermining it.
He said the committee had heard evidence from "too narrow a pool of opinion" and had "violated natural justice" by rejecting requests from Baroness Chakrabarti and the Jewish Labour Movement to appear and give evidence.He said the committee had heard evidence from "too narrow a pool of opinion" and had "violated natural justice" by rejecting requests from Baroness Chakrabarti and the Jewish Labour Movement to appear and give evidence.
The report also "unfairly criticised" Baroness Chakrabarti, Mr Corbyn said, adding that Labour was "already acting on her recommendations".The report also "unfairly criticised" Baroness Chakrabarti, Mr Corbyn said, adding that Labour was "already acting on her recommendations".
The MPs' report said all parties needed to look at taking on its recommendations on training and discipline for members.The MPs' report said all parties needed to look at taking on its recommendations on training and discipline for members.
Twitter
The committee said abuse on Twitter was "growing exponentially" and the company must employ more resources to identify abusers.
"The onus should not be on victims to monitor their accounts for ongoing abuse and report it to the company," MPs said.
A spokesman for Twitter said hateful conduct "has no place on Twitter" and there is "a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct that incites violence and hate".
"We look forward to further constructive dialogue between government, our partners in civil society and our peers in the technology sector on this issue," the spokesman said.
Term of abuseTerm of abuse
The committee also said it was worried by the persistent use of "Zionist" as a term of abuse. The report also said it was worried by the persistent use of "Zionist" as a term of abuse.
"Use of the word in an accusatory context should be considered inflammatory and potentially anti-Semitic by law enforcement and political party officials," the report said."Use of the word in an accusatory context should be considered inflammatory and potentially anti-Semitic by law enforcement and political party officials," the report said.
But it did say that free speech should be allowed on Israel and Palestine, adding that it was not anti-Semitic to hold the Israeli government to the same standards as other liberal democracies.
It found "shocking" the volume and viciousness of anti-Semitism online, including that directed at politicians.It found "shocking" the volume and viciousness of anti-Semitism online, including that directed at politicians.
Among its findings were:Among its findings were:
Onus on victimsOnus on victims
The committee said abuse on Twitter was "growing exponentially" and the company must employ more resources to identify abusers. Individuals reporting abuse should have a single point of contact with their local police force, MPs recommended.
"The onus should not be on victims to monitor their accounts for ongoing abuse and report it to the company," MPs said.
A spokesman for Twitter said hateful conduct "has no place on Twitter" and there is "a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct that incites violence and hate".
"We look forward to further constructive dialogue between government, our partners in civil society and our peers in the technology sector on this issue," the spokesman said.
Individuals reporting abuse should have a single point of contact with their local police force, they recommended.
The committee also criticised President of the National Union of Students Malia Bouattia for failing to take the issue sufficiently seriously on university campuses.The committee also criticised President of the National Union of Students Malia Bouattia for failing to take the issue sufficiently seriously on university campuses.
Acting chairman of the committee Tim Loughton MP said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with individuals in all political parties, and across society, in their fight against anti-Semitism.Acting chairman of the committee Tim Loughton MP said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with individuals in all political parties, and across society, in their fight against anti-Semitism.
"History shows that anti-Semitism is a virus that is too easily spread. We call on all leaders of political parties to lead by example to tackle the growing prevalence of this insidious form of hate, opposing racism and religious hate in all its forms.""History shows that anti-Semitism is a virus that is too easily spread. We call on all leaders of political parties to lead by example to tackle the growing prevalence of this insidious form of hate, opposing racism and religious hate in all its forms."