This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/26/jeremy-corbyn-accused-of-being-figurehead-for-antisemitism

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Jeremy Corbyn accused of being 'figurehead for anti​​semitism' Jeremy Corbyn accused of being 'figurehead for anti​​semitism'
(35 minutes later)
The Jewish Leadership Council has stepped up its attack on Jeremy Corbyn, accusing him of being a figurehead for antisemitism and presiding over a party that has no safe spaces for Jews.The Jewish Leadership Council has stepped up its attack on Jeremy Corbyn, accusing him of being a figurehead for antisemitism and presiding over a party that has no safe spaces for Jews.
Speaking before rival protests outside a meeting of Labour MPs, Jonathan Goldstein, the chair of the council, said Corbyn’s apology for “pockets of antisemitism” in the party was not enough.Speaking before rival protests outside a meeting of Labour MPs, Jonathan Goldstein, the chair of the council, said Corbyn’s apology for “pockets of antisemitism” in the party was not enough.
In an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Goldstein said: “The time for words is over and the time for action is now important. The reality is there are no safe spaces online or in meetings for Jewish people within the Labour party.”In an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Goldstein said: “The time for words is over and the time for action is now important. The reality is there are no safe spaces online or in meetings for Jewish people within the Labour party.”
In a strongly worded letter, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the council urged supporters to stage a show of solidarity outside parliament on Monday as Labour MPs hold their weekly meeting – which Corbyn is not planning to attend. The Labour backbencher Wes Streething, one Corbyn’s biggest critics in the parliamentary party, urged MPs to join the rally. In a strongly worded letter, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the council urged supporters to stage a show of solidarity outside parliament on Monday as Labour MPs hold their weekly meeting – which Corbyn is not planning to attend. The Labour backbencher Wes Streeting, one of Corbyn’s biggest critics in the parliamentary party, urged MPs to join the rally.
But the pro-Corbyn Jewish Voice for Labour is organising counter-demonstration. But the pro-Corbyn Jewish Voice for Labour is organising a counter-demonstration.
Goldstein said: “We’ve had enough of hearing that Jeremy Corbyn opposes antisemitism while the mainstream majority of British Jews and their concerns are ignored by him and those he leads.”Goldstein said: “We’ve had enough of hearing that Jeremy Corbyn opposes antisemitism while the mainstream majority of British Jews and their concerns are ignored by him and those he leads.”
He added: “The greatest shame is that it is taken us to take to the streets for the apology to be forthcoming … Wherever we go we are told that we act on the instructions of Israel, that Rothchilds run the world, that Isis is a fake front for Israel, that Zionists are the new Nazis. And I’m afraid it is the time for action rather than words.” He added: “The greatest shame is that it has taken us to take to the streets for the apology to be forthcoming … Wherever we go we are told that we act on the instructions of Israel, that Rothschilds run the world, that Isis is a fake front for Israel, that Zionists are the new Nazis. And I’m afraid it is the time for action rather than words.”
The latest row over antisemitism in the party comes after Corbyn expressed regret for apparently showing support for the creator of an antisemitic mural in the East End of London six years ago.The latest row over antisemitism in the party comes after Corbyn expressed regret for apparently showing support for the creator of an antisemitic mural in the East End of London six years ago.
Goldstein called for Labour to take action against the former London mayor Ken Livingstone and the former Momentum vice-chair Jackie Walker, who he claimed continued to make antisemitic comments.Goldstein called for Labour to take action against the former London mayor Ken Livingstone and the former Momentum vice-chair Jackie Walker, who he claimed continued to make antisemitic comments.
He said: “This is the first time in my life time that the Jewish community has felt the need to take to the streets to campaign against the leader of a major political party. Rightly or wrongly, Jeremy Corbyn is now the figurehead for an antisemitic political culture based upon obsessive hatred of Israel, conspiracy theories and fake news and that is doing great harm not just to the Labour party but to Britain in a wider sense.”He said: “This is the first time in my life time that the Jewish community has felt the need to take to the streets to campaign against the leader of a major political party. Rightly or wrongly, Jeremy Corbyn is now the figurehead for an antisemitic political culture based upon obsessive hatred of Israel, conspiracy theories and fake news and that is doing great harm not just to the Labour party but to Britain in a wider sense.”
Corbyn has promised to meet Jewish leaders to discuss their concerns. However, Goldstein said neither he nor the Board of Deputies had received a formal invitation to meet him.Corbyn has promised to meet Jewish leaders to discuss their concerns. However, Goldstein said neither he nor the Board of Deputies had received a formal invitation to meet him.
He added: “We have no issue with people expressing criticisms of Israel … but to deny the right of a Jewish state to exist within the Middle East crosses a line into anti-Zionism.”He added: “We have no issue with people expressing criticisms of Israel … but to deny the right of a Jewish state to exist within the Middle East crosses a line into anti-Zionism.”
Louise Ellman MP, a former chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, echoed Goldstein’s concerns. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: “It has taken Jeremy far too long to admit how wrong he has been in failing to deal with antisemitism in the Labour party.Louise Ellman MP, a former chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, echoed Goldstein’s concerns. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: “It has taken Jeremy far too long to admit how wrong he has been in failing to deal with antisemitism in the Labour party.
“Since Jeremy Corbyn became leader, the antisemitism in the Labour party has had a louder voice. He hasn’t recognised it; he hasn’t stamped on it. I hope he recognises that a tipping point has been reached.”“Since Jeremy Corbyn became leader, the antisemitism in the Labour party has had a louder voice. He hasn’t recognised it; he hasn’t stamped on it. I hope he recognises that a tipping point has been reached.”
She also called for Livingstone and Walker to be expelled from the party.She also called for Livingstone and Walker to be expelled from the party.
However, Jewish Voice for Labour accused the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council of playing party politics in the run-up to the local elections in May. In a statement, it said both groups had been silent on antisemitism from the right.However, Jewish Voice for Labour accused the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council of playing party politics in the run-up to the local elections in May. In a statement, it said both groups had been silent on antisemitism from the right.
It said: “The BoD and the JLC and those supporting them must be aware that this is an attempt to influence local elections and has nothing to do with the real and necessary task of challenging racism and antisemitism at all levels of political life. We call on them to stop playing party politics and start representing what our community needs.”It said: “The BoD and the JLC and those supporting them must be aware that this is an attempt to influence local elections and has nothing to do with the real and necessary task of challenging racism and antisemitism at all levels of political life. We call on them to stop playing party politics and start representing what our community needs.”
LabourLabour
Jeremy CorbynJeremy Corbyn
JudaismJudaism
ReligionReligion
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content