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Labour's ruling body set for crunch anti-Semitism talks Labour's ruling body set for crunch anti-Semitism talks
(35 minutes later)
Labour's ruling body will meet later to discuss whether to adopt in full an international definition of anti-Semitism following months of acrimony.Labour's ruling body will meet later to discuss whether to adopt in full an international definition of anti-Semitism following months of acrimony.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition was incorporated into Labour's code of conduct in July - but not all its examples were included.The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition was incorporated into Labour's code of conduct in July - but not all its examples were included.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he hoped the party's National Executive Committee would reverse the decision. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he hoped the party's National Executive Committee would adopt all the examples.
It comes amid a row over activist Peter Willsman's re-election to the NEC.It comes amid a row over activist Peter Willsman's re-election to the NEC.
Earlier this year, he suggested Jewish "Trump fanatics" were behind accusations of anti-Semitism in Labour ranks - remarks which were widely condemned and saw him disowned by the pro-Jeremy Corbyn campaign group Momentum.Earlier this year, he suggested Jewish "Trump fanatics" were behind accusations of anti-Semitism in Labour ranks - remarks which were widely condemned and saw him disowned by the pro-Jeremy Corbyn campaign group Momentum.
Suggestions that the Labour leadership has failed to crack down on anti-Semitic comments by members and activists and, in some cases, condoned their actions have dogged the party in recent years.
In June 2016, Shami Chakrabarti's inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party said it was not overrun by it, or by other forms of racism, but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".
The row came to a head in July after Jeremy Corbyn was accused of anti-Semitism by former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and veteran Labour MP Margaret Hodge - charges which he strongly denied.
Mr Corbyn has insisted there is no place for prejudice of any kind within the party.Mr Corbyn has insisted there is no place for prejudice of any kind within the party.
He says he is committed to protecting Jewish members from abuse while allowing vigorous debate about the role of Israel in the Middle East peace process and justice for the Palestinians - issues he has campaigned on for decades. The Labour leader says he is committed to protecting Jewish members from abuse while allowing vigorous debate about the role of Israel in the Middle East peace process and justice for the Palestinians - issues he has campaigned on for decades.
Labour endorsed the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism when it revised its code of conduct earlier this year, but left out four of the body's 11 examples, which campaigners say must now be included. The party endorsed the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism when it revised its code of conduct earlier this year after protests by Jewish groups against the party's handling of the issue.
But it left out four of the body's 11 examples, which campaigners say must now be included.
Working definition of anti-SemitismWorking definition of anti-Semitism
On 26 May 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted the following non-legally binding working definition of anti-Semitism:On 26 May 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted the following non-legally binding working definition of anti-Semitism:
"Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews."Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
"Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.""Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
Labour did not adopt these examples from that definition: Labour did not adopt these examples from the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism:
On the crucial issue of Israel, the IHRA has said that attacks on the state as a collective Jewish endeavour may be regarded as anti-Semitic, but criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country is not.On the crucial issue of Israel, the IHRA has said that attacks on the state as a collective Jewish endeavour may be regarded as anti-Semitic, but criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country is not.
Labour's current rulebook commits the party to tackling all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, and to providing a "welcoming home" to members of all communities, whatever their race, ethnicity or religion. Labour's decision not to reproduce all the IHRA examples prompted outcry from many Labour MPs and peers as well as Jewish groups and newspapers.
But senior figures, including ex-prime minister Gordon Brown, have said Labour must make a statement by "unequivocally" adopting the guidelines and all the examples. The row came to a head in July after Mr Corbyn was accused of anti-Semitism by former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and veteran Labour MP Margaret Hodge - charges which he strongly denied.
On Sunday, ex-prime minister Gordon Brown added his voice to the debate, saying Labour must make a statement by "unequivocally" adopting the guidelines and all the examples.
Labour MP Wes Streeting told Channel 4 News the NEC has an opportunity "to begin the process of healing the divisions between the Labour party and the Jewish community and beginning to restore trust in our ability to tackle anti-Semitism".Labour MP Wes Streeting told Channel 4 News the NEC has an opportunity "to begin the process of healing the divisions between the Labour party and the Jewish community and beginning to restore trust in our ability to tackle anti-Semitism".
"We won't do that if we carry on in the way we have," he added."We won't do that if we carry on in the way we have," he added.
'Free to criticise''Free to criticise'
Mr McDonnell also suggested it was an overdue step for the party to take, telling BBC Radio Kent that the row had "dragged on and we should have addressed it much sooner".Mr McDonnell also suggested it was an overdue step for the party to take, telling BBC Radio Kent that the row had "dragged on and we should have addressed it much sooner".
At the same time, he insisted freedom of speech must be protected so "people are free to criticise Israel and its policies and free to advocate the rights of Palestinians". He said: "I'm hoping what will happen is exactly what people are saying - an acceptance of the IHRA definition and examples, that's what people are pressing for."
At the same time, Mr McDonnell insisted freedom of speech must be protected so "people are free to criticise Israel and its policies and free to advocate the rights of Palestinians".
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said the NEC may also make it clear that the adoption of the IHRA examples would not lead to the retrospective disciplining of party members.
'Turning the tide'
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has said full adherence to the IHRA definition should be the first step in "turning the tide" of anti-Semitism within the party.The Board of Deputies of British Jews has said full adherence to the IHRA definition should be the first step in "turning the tide" of anti-Semitism within the party.
But Jewish Voice for Labour, which backs Mr Corbyn's leadership, said there was not universal support for the definition.But Jewish Voice for Labour, which backs Mr Corbyn's leadership, said there was not universal support for the definition.
It said it could not support it as it fell short of providing "a clear and unambiguous statement based on attitudes to Jews as Jews, not attitudes to a country, Israel".It said it could not support it as it fell short of providing "a clear and unambiguous statement based on attitudes to Jews as Jews, not attitudes to a country, Israel".
Suggestions that the Labour leadership has failed to crack down on anti-Semitic comments by members and activists and, in some cases, condoned their actions have dogged the party in recent years.
In June 2016, Shami Chakrabarti's inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party said it was not overrun by it, or by other forms of racism, but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".
Labour's current rulebook commits the party to tackling all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, and to providing a "welcoming home" to members of all communities, whatever their race, ethnicity or religion.