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Jewish leaders to tell Corbyn what 'has to happen to drain political sewer' Labour leaders pledge to tackle antisemitism
(about 3 hours later)
Jewish community leaders are ready to meet Jeremy Corbyn but they intend to present a list of demands before agreeing a time and place. Members of the shadow cabinet have held an emotional debate on the antisemitism crisis that has engulfed Labour, with “upset” participants agreeing that the party must make radical changes to deal with the problem.
After Monday night’s unprecedented protest by Jewish organisations outside parliament attended by hundreds of antisemitism campaigners and more than a dozen Labour MPs and peers, Jonathan Arkush, the president of the Board of Deputies, wants to set out “what we think has to happen” in order to drain “the political sewer”. Meeting shortly after Jewish community leaders issued a set of demands they said Jeremy Corbyn would have to address if they are to meet him, almost every member spoke in the discussion. In a mood described as “shaken”, those who spoke were said to have expressed their dismay at the situation.
The proposals come as Labour sources pledged that Shami Chakrabarti’s report (pdf) would be implemented in full. That would mean publishing the party rule book on the website, and stepping up political education in constituencies. The meeting followed the resurfacing of a simmering row on Friday over Jeremy Corbyn’s apparent support in a Facebook post for an antisemitic mural in the East End of London in 2012. “Everybody was upset by the events of the past few days,” one person who was present said.
The party has also promised to speed up the process for handling complaints, but a spokesman insisted it was complex, and those accused had to have the right to be represented. Investigations of allegations would continue to take place in private. It was informally agreed that Shami Chakrabarti’s report (pdf) must be implemented in full. That will require a significant overhaul of party machinery, including appointing a general counsel, and an in-house team of lawyers to ensure procedure is properly followed. It is understood Corbyn will make that a priority for the party’s new general secretary, Jenny Formby.
“It is now accepted that there are two things going on,” said one shadow minister. “The problem [of antisemitism] is real, and it is also being used deliberately by Corbyn’s opponents. But because it’s true it’s being used against Jeremy doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. That’s what people had to grasp.”
The Chakrabarti report made clear recommendations about the use of abusive language, tropes and stereotypes, and also set out a path towards a quick and clear process for handling allegations that would mean cases against individuals and local parties could generally be concluded within six months.
There are scores of outstanding cases that have been mired in the party’s compliance procedures for months.
Earlier, Jewish community leaders said they were ready to meet Jeremy Corbyn but they intend to present a list of demands before agreeing a time and place.
After Monday night’s unprecedented protest, attended by hundreds of antisemitism campaigners and more than a dozen Labour MPs and peers, Jonathan Arkush, the president of the Board of Deputies, said he wanted to set out “what we think has to happen” in order to drain “the political sewer”.
Arkush said he had had no contact with the Labour leader since they last met more than two years ago.Arkush said he had had no contact with the Labour leader since they last met more than two years ago.
Top of the Jewish community’s list of demands is the expulsion of Ken Livingstone, the former London mayor who has been suspended after refusing to withdraw claims that Jews collaborated with Hitler. On Tuesday, Arkash said: “Ken Livingstone really cannot remain. His views are shameful and disreputable. He will have to go.”Top of the Jewish community’s list of demands is the expulsion of Ken Livingstone, the former London mayor who has been suspended after refusing to withdraw claims that Jews collaborated with Hitler. On Tuesday, Arkash said: “Ken Livingstone really cannot remain. His views are shameful and disreputable. He will have to go.”
Demands for the the expulsion of Jackie Walker, a former vice-chair of Momentum, are also expected. Walker is also suspended after being filmed saying there was no definition of antisemitism “that she could work with”.Demands for the the expulsion of Jackie Walker, a former vice-chair of Momentum, are also expected. Walker is also suspended after being filmed saying there was no definition of antisemitism “that she could work with”.
There are also scores of other long-running cases which have been mired in the party’s compliance procedures for many months.
Danny Stone, the director of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, called for an independent audit of Labour’s complaints procedure, which would identify shortcomings.Danny Stone, the director of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, called for an independent audit of Labour’s complaints procedure, which would identify shortcomings.
The Chakrabarti review, carried out and published in 2016, called for more “transparency, uniformity and expertise” in dealing with formal complaints. The Chakrabarti review, carried out and published in 2016, called for greater “transparency, uniformity and expertise” in dealing with formal complaints.
Arkush said: “If and when we have the meeting, we will want to set targets which are measurable and which give the meeting the maximum chance of success. We will lay out what we think has to happen,. Arkush said: “If and when we have the meeting, we will want to set targets which are measurable and which give the meeting the maximum chance of success. We will lay out what we think has to happen.”
Darren Jones, the Labour MP for Bristol North West, who attended Monday’s show of solidarity outside parliament, said he had been shocked by the abuse on social media directed against those who attended.Darren Jones, the Labour MP for Bristol North West, who attended Monday’s show of solidarity outside parliament, said he had been shocked by the abuse on social media directed against those who attended.
“The thing I have been amazed about is the extent and the ferocity of comments by people who seem to think this is about a conspiracy or a plot against Jeremy Corbyn,. I’m just confused and amazed,” he said.“The thing I have been amazed about is the extent and the ferocity of comments by people who seem to think this is about a conspiracy or a plot against Jeremy Corbyn,. I’m just confused and amazed,” he said.
“As a Labour MP, the reason I went out to support this protest was because Jewish people are telling me that they’ve been subjected to racism. I take that on trust, and I want to make clear as a Labour MP that I support them.”“As a Labour MP, the reason I went out to support this protest was because Jewish people are telling me that they’ve been subjected to racism. I take that on trust, and I want to make clear as a Labour MP that I support them.”
He urged Corbyn to make clear publicly that any of his supporters who claim that antisemitism is a smear do not speak for him.He urged Corbyn to make clear publicly that any of his supporters who claim that antisemitism is a smear do not speak for him.
Arkush would also like action to be taken against those who minimise reports of antisemitism, including the Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, who suggested it was “mood music” to undermine the leadership; and Labour MP Chris Williamson’s claim that the Labour right was “weaponising” antisemitism. Arkush would also like action to be taken against those who minimise reports of antisemitism, including the Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, who suggested it was “mood music” to undermine the leadership; and the Labour MP Chris Williamson’s claim that the Labour right was “weaponising” antisemitism.
He added that antisemitism on social media must be “properly and energetically” shut down.He added that antisemitism on social media must be “properly and energetically” shut down.
One suggestion being discussed by Labour MPs is for Corbyn’s team to establish specific accounts on social media platforms such as Twitter, that would identify and call out supporters using antisemitic language.One suggestion being discussed by Labour MPs is for Corbyn’s team to establish specific accounts on social media platforms such as Twitter, that would identify and call out supporters using antisemitic language.
“So these stories of antisemitism that are sticking to Labour like glue can be consiged to the past,” Arkush said. “This does mean a leadership change. I say again, is Corbyn up to it? If he’s genuine when he says he is the ‘militant opponent’ of antisemitism, that’s great. We’ll be the first to say well done. But he’s got to prove it.” “So these stories of antisemitism that are sticking to Labour like glue can be consigned to the past,” Arkush said. “This does mean a leadership change. I say again, is Corbyn up to it? If he’s genuine when he says he is the ‘militant opponent’ of antisemitism, that’s great. We’ll be the first to say well done. But he’s got to prove it.”
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