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| 'I learned a lot': Corbyn defends taking part in radical Jewish event | 'I learned a lot': Corbyn defends taking part in radical Jewish event |
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| Jeremy Corbyn has said he “learned a lot” at a Passover event hosted by a leftwing Jewish group highly critical of mainstream Jewish bodies, after he was rebuked by MPs for attending. | |
| The Labour leader took part in the seder, the traditional meal of the Jewish festival, organised by Jewdas, which last week accused the Jewish Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and Jewish Labour Movement of “playing a dangerous game with people’s lives” by organising protests against Corbyn’s handling of anti-semitism in Labour. | The Labour leader took part in the seder, the traditional meal of the Jewish festival, organised by Jewdas, which last week accused the Jewish Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and Jewish Labour Movement of “playing a dangerous game with people’s lives” by organising protests against Corbyn’s handling of anti-semitism in Labour. |
| The group – which runs alternative Jewish parties, events and a satirical website – said in a statement last week over the Enough Is Enough protests that much of the furore over antisemitism in Labour was “the work of cynical manipulations by people whose express loyalty is to the Conservative party and the right wing of the Labour party”. | The group – which runs alternative Jewish parties, events and a satirical website – said in a statement last week over the Enough Is Enough protests that much of the furore over antisemitism in Labour was “the work of cynical manipulations by people whose express loyalty is to the Conservative party and the right wing of the Labour party”. |
| Speaking during a visit to Swindon, Corbyn said the event was “a celebration of Passover, which I celebrate with young Jewish people from my own community and my own constituency”. | Speaking during a visit to Swindon, Corbyn said the event was “a celebration of Passover, which I celebrate with young Jewish people from my own community and my own constituency”. |
| “It was very interesting talking to a lot of young people about their experiences of modern Britain and I learned a lot. Isn’t that a good thing?” | “It was very interesting talking to a lot of young people about their experiences of modern Britain and I learned a lot. Isn’t that a good thing?” |
| A spokesman for Corbyn earlier said he attended the event, in his Islington constituency, in a personal capacity and not in his official role as Labour leader, after his attendance was revealed by the Guido Fawkes blog. “He wrote to the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council last week to ask for an urgent formal meeting to discuss tackling antisemitism in the Labour party and in society,” the spokesman said. | A spokesman for Corbyn earlier said he attended the event, in his Islington constituency, in a personal capacity and not in his official role as Labour leader, after his attendance was revealed by the Guido Fawkes blog. “He wrote to the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council last week to ask for an urgent formal meeting to discuss tackling antisemitism in the Labour party and in society,” the spokesman said. |
| Jewdas, a collective that describes itself as “radical voices for the alternative diaspora”, says its members are “synagogue-going Jews, most with either paid or voluntary positions within our communities”. The group has been highly critical of the Israeli government, but has also published pamphlets for pro-Palestinian demonstrations advising activists how to avoid antisemitism in campaigning. | Jewdas, a collective that describes itself as “radical voices for the alternative diaspora”, says its members are “synagogue-going Jews, most with either paid or voluntary positions within our communities”. The group has been highly critical of the Israeli government, but has also published pamphlets for pro-Palestinian demonstrations advising activists how to avoid antisemitism in campaigning. |
| Writing for the Guardian, the group said they were “deeply proud of being Jewish” and criticised Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush who told Sky News on Tuesday they were the source of “virulent anti-semitism.” | Writing for the Guardian, the group said they were “deeply proud of being Jewish” and criticised Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush who told Sky News on Tuesday they were the source of “virulent anti-semitism.” |
| “The truth is that we love Judaism and Jewish culture, as every one of our events demonstrate,” they said. “To claim that we in Jewdas are somehow ‘not real Jews’ is offensive, and frankly antisemitic.” | “The truth is that we love Judaism and Jewish culture, as every one of our events demonstrate,” they said. “To claim that we in Jewdas are somehow ‘not real Jews’ is offensive, and frankly antisemitic.” |
| Corbyn had been invited by a friend and constituent, the group said, bringing horseradish from his allotment which is one of the traditional items on Seder plate at the Passover meal. | Corbyn had been invited by a friend and constituent, the group said, bringing horseradish from his allotment which is one of the traditional items on Seder plate at the Passover meal. |
| “In a normal situation, you might think that the leader of the opposition attending a seder with a hundred young, committed Jews might be a simple good news story. If you’re determined to brand Jeremy Corbyn an antisemite, it seems that literally any story will do,” they said. | “In a normal situation, you might think that the leader of the opposition attending a seder with a hundred young, committed Jews might be a simple good news story. If you’re determined to brand Jeremy Corbyn an antisemite, it seems that literally any story will do,” they said. |
| Jon Lansman, the Jewish founder of Momentum, the group that has been a key backer of Corbyn, said a distinction should be drawn between Jewdas and some other leftwing groups. “I think this group, unlike other groups you might describe as a far-left, fringe, Jewish group, are orthodox, they’re embedded in their synagogues and communities. They are part of the community,” he said. | Jon Lansman, the Jewish founder of Momentum, the group that has been a key backer of Corbyn, said a distinction should be drawn between Jewdas and some other leftwing groups. “I think this group, unlike other groups you might describe as a far-left, fringe, Jewish group, are orthodox, they’re embedded in their synagogues and communities. They are part of the community,” he said. |
| Lansman said Corbyn had gone to the seder on his “night off, his office didn’t know he was there”. | Lansman said Corbyn had gone to the seder on his “night off, his office didn’t know he was there”. |
| Asked if it was helpful for Corbyn to meet a group whose Twitter account called Israel “a steaming pile of sewage which needs to be properly disposed of”, Lansman said the comment was “certainly not helpful to Jeremy or the cause of opposing antisemitism in the Labour party”. | Asked if it was helpful for Corbyn to meet a group whose Twitter account called Israel “a steaming pile of sewage which needs to be properly disposed of”, Lansman said the comment was “certainly not helpful to Jeremy or the cause of opposing antisemitism in the Labour party”. |
| On Monday, Momentum released a statement from its highest governing body calling for more action against antisemitism in the Labour party, saying it should not be dismissed as a rightwing smear or conspiracy, but was more widespread than many had thought. | On Monday, Momentum released a statement from its highest governing body calling for more action against antisemitism in the Labour party, saying it should not be dismissed as a rightwing smear or conspiracy, but was more widespread than many had thought. |
| Labour has been repeatedly blighted by charges that it has failed to tackle antisemitism in the party since Jeremy Corbyn became leader in 2015. Supporters of Corbyn, who has a long history of supporting Palestinians in their dispute with Israel, fear the issue is being used to undermine his leadership. | Labour has been repeatedly blighted by charges that it has failed to tackle antisemitism in the party since Jeremy Corbyn became leader in 2015. Supporters of Corbyn, who has a long history of supporting Palestinians in their dispute with Israel, fear the issue is being used to undermine his leadership. |
| Labour launches an inquiry into allegations of antisemitism and bullying after a fractious election of a youth representative to its ruling body. | Labour launches an inquiry into allegations of antisemitism and bullying after a fractious election of a youth representative to its ruling body. |
| Labour expels far-left activist Gerry Downing, who had spoken of the need to “address the Jewish question”. | Labour expels far-left activist Gerry Downing, who had spoken of the need to “address the Jewish question”. |
| Activist Vicki Kirby is suspended by the party for a second time over making alleged antisemitic tweets. She apparently suggested Adolf Hitler might be a “Zionist God” and that Jews had “big noses”. | Activist Vicki Kirby is suspended by the party for a second time over making alleged antisemitic tweets. She apparently suggested Adolf Hitler might be a “Zionist God” and that Jews had “big noses”. |
| Labour suspends Khadim Hussain, a Labour councillor and former lord mayor of Bradford, after he shared a Facebook post that said “your school education system only tells you about Anne Frank and the 6 million Zionists that were killed by Hitler". He later quit the party. | Labour suspends Khadim Hussain, a Labour councillor and former lord mayor of Bradford, after he shared a Facebook post that said “your school education system only tells you about Anne Frank and the 6 million Zionists that were killed by Hitler". He later quit the party. |
| Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West, apologises for writing a series of antisemitic posts on Facebook including arguing for Israel’s population to be ‘transported’ out of the Middle East. She also resigns as PPS to John McDonnell and after sustained pressure is suspended from the party a day later. | Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West, apologises for writing a series of antisemitic posts on Facebook including arguing for Israel’s population to be ‘transported’ out of the Middle East. She also resigns as PPS to John McDonnell and after sustained pressure is suspended from the party a day later. |
| Labour suspends, but does not expel, former London mayor Ken Livingstone, after making offensive comments about Hitler supporting Zionism while defending Shah. | Labour suspends, but does not expel, former London mayor Ken Livingstone, after making offensive comments about Hitler supporting Zionism while defending Shah. |
| A two-month inquiry by Shami Chakrabarti, ordered by Corbyn, urges Labour members to avoid abusive language and references to Hitler and Holocaust metaphors. It is criticised as being too soft on the issue and regarded as compromised because Chakrabarti had just accepted a peerage. | A two-month inquiry by Shami Chakrabarti, ordered by Corbyn, urges Labour members to avoid abusive language and references to Hitler and Holocaust metaphors. It is criticised as being too soft on the issue and regarded as compromised because Chakrabarti had just accepted a peerage. |
| Jackie Walker is removed as vice-chair of Momentum after criticising Holocaust Memorial Day but is allowed to remain on its steering committee. She was earlier suspended by the party for questioning why Holocaust Memorial Day did not recognise other genocides. | Jackie Walker is removed as vice-chair of Momentum after criticising Holocaust Memorial Day but is allowed to remain on its steering committee. She was earlier suspended by the party for questioning why Holocaust Memorial Day did not recognise other genocides. |
| The home affairs select committee accuses Labour of incompetence in dealing with antisemitism and helping to create a safe space for people with “vile attitudes towards Jewish people”. | The home affairs select committee accuses Labour of incompetence in dealing with antisemitism and helping to create a safe space for people with “vile attitudes towards Jewish people”. |
| Livingstone again avoids expulsion from the party after a disciplinary panel rules he should be suspended for another year over comments about antisemitism, Hitler and Zionism. Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, accuses Labour of failing the Jewish community by not expelling Livingstone. | Livingstone again avoids expulsion from the party after a disciplinary panel rules he should be suspended for another year over comments about antisemitism, Hitler and Zionism. Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, accuses Labour of failing the Jewish community by not expelling Livingstone. |
| Corbyn backs a party rule change, put forward by the Jewish Labour Movement, that takes tougher line on antisemitic abuse. | Corbyn backs a party rule change, put forward by the Jewish Labour Movement, that takes tougher line on antisemitic abuse. |
| Lansman said the crisis had been “something of a shock” for Corbyn who was proud of his anti-racism activism. “I think awareness has grown, it has for all of us,” he said. | Lansman said the crisis had been “something of a shock” for Corbyn who was proud of his anti-racism activism. “I think awareness has grown, it has for all of us,” he said. |
| Others were more critical of Corbyn’s judgment. Jonathan Goldstein, the chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, said the JLC had “no issue with Jewdas and Jewdas having its opinions that it does”. However, Goldstein said he was surprised the Labour leader had met the group so soon after the breakdown of relations with mainstream Jewish organisations. | Others were more critical of Corbyn’s judgment. Jonathan Goldstein, the chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, said the JLC had “no issue with Jewdas and Jewdas having its opinions that it does”. However, Goldstein said he was surprised the Labour leader had met the group so soon after the breakdown of relations with mainstream Jewish organisations. |
| “In his first act towards the Jewish community he has gone to sit with a group who describe the JLC and the Board of Deputies’ actions as being a cynical ploy,” he said. | “In his first act towards the Jewish community he has gone to sit with a group who describe the JLC and the Board of Deputies’ actions as being a cynical ploy,” he said. |
| The Labour MP John Woodcock said Corbyn’s attendance at the meeting was “irresponsible and dangerous” and said it was “deliberately baiting the mainstream Jewish community days after they pleaded with him to tackle antisemitism”. | The Labour MP John Woodcock said Corbyn’s attendance at the meeting was “irresponsible and dangerous” and said it was “deliberately baiting the mainstream Jewish community days after they pleaded with him to tackle antisemitism”. |
| This is deliberately baiting the mainstream Jewish community days after they pleaded with him to tackle antisemitism. And he must know that meeting them now will give his members the message that the group’s extreme views are ok. Irresponsible and dangerous https://t.co/NORQQiFq8J | This is deliberately baiting the mainstream Jewish community days after they pleaded with him to tackle antisemitism. And he must know that meeting them now will give his members the message that the group’s extreme views are ok. Irresponsible and dangerous https://t.co/NORQQiFq8J |
| Two Jewish comedians David Baddiel and David Schneider, who have regularly written on the issue of antisemitism and the Labour party, both tweeted that MPs and others should not immediately dismiss Jewdas. | Two Jewish comedians David Baddiel and David Schneider, who have regularly written on the issue of antisemitism and the Labour party, both tweeted that MPs and others should not immediately dismiss Jewdas. |
| “They are just Jews who disagree with other Jews. Which means: Jews ... To make out that it’s somehow antisemitic for him to spend Seder with them just because they’re far left is balls,” Baddiel wrote on Twitter. | “They are just Jews who disagree with other Jews. Which means: Jews ... To make out that it’s somehow antisemitic for him to spend Seder with them just because they’re far left is balls,” Baddiel wrote on Twitter. |
| Schneider tweeted: “‘Boo! Corbyn needs to get out and meet some Jews!’ (Corbyn spends Passover with some Jews at Jewdas) ‘Boo! Not those Jews!’” | Schneider tweeted: “‘Boo! Corbyn needs to get out and meet some Jews!’ (Corbyn spends Passover with some Jews at Jewdas) ‘Boo! Not those Jews!’” |
| Speaking on Tuesday, Corbyn said he was determined to tackle antisemitism. “If it arises in my party then we have a process for dealing with it. We examine each case and if someone has committed any antisemitic act they are suspended and could be expelled as a result of it,” he said. “Communities working together achieve things together, communities divided don’t.” | Speaking on Tuesday, Corbyn said he was determined to tackle antisemitism. “If it arises in my party then we have a process for dealing with it. We examine each case and if someone has committed any antisemitic act they are suspended and could be expelled as a result of it,” he said. “Communities working together achieve things together, communities divided don’t.” |
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