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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Antisemitism: Labour's tussle with definition | Antisemitism: Labour's tussle with definition |
| (2 months later) | |
| What is the IHRA definition of antisemitism? | What is the IHRA definition of antisemitism? |
| The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an intergovernmental body, produced a document in 2016 offering a “working definition” of antisemitism that could be adopted by governments and other organisations. The document has been adopted by the UK government and some other countries. | The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an intergovernmental body, produced a document in 2016 offering a “working definition” of antisemitism that could be adopted by governments and other organisations. The document has been adopted by the UK government and some other countries. |
| Labour adopts IHRA antisemitism definition in full | |
| It comprises a one-paragraph definition and 11 examples that can “serve as illustrations”. There is also a short preamble to the examples, which says criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. | It comprises a one-paragraph definition and 11 examples that can “serve as illustrations”. There is also a short preamble to the examples, which says criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. |
| The core definition says: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” | The core definition says: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” |
| Why has it become controversial for the Labour party? | Why has it become controversial for the Labour party? |
| Labour has been embroiled in arguments about antisemitism in its own ranks since 2016 and, following a review by Shami Chakrabarti, developed its own code of conduct, which included a modified version of the IHRA definition. | Labour has been embroiled in arguments about antisemitism in its own ranks since 2016 and, following a review by Shami Chakrabarti, developed its own code of conduct, which included a modified version of the IHRA definition. |
| The modified code was adopted in July by the party’s ruling national executive committee. The committee said antisemitism was racism and that it was unacceptable in the party and in wider society. It accepted the core IHRA definition. | The modified code was adopted in July by the party’s ruling national executive committee. The committee said antisemitism was racism and that it was unacceptable in the party and in wider society. It accepted the core IHRA definition. |
| However, Labour’s code omitted four of the 11 examples from the IHRA document, prompting intense complaints from Jewish MPs in the party and the wider Jewish community. Labour promised to hold a further consultation in an attempt to resolve the issue. | However, Labour’s code omitted four of the 11 examples from the IHRA document, prompting intense complaints from Jewish MPs in the party and the wider Jewish community. Labour promised to hold a further consultation in an attempt to resolve the issue. |
| Antisemitism row: NEC statement does not go far enough, Corbyn critics claim – Politics live | |
| What was initially left out and why? | What was initially left out and why? |
| The examples omitted included “accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country” and “requiring higher standards of behaviour from Israel than other nations”, plus “comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis”. However, in August Labour was indicating that it would accept all three of these examples as it sought to defuse the row. | The examples omitted included “accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country” and “requiring higher standards of behaviour from Israel than other nations”, plus “comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis”. However, in August Labour was indicating that it would accept all three of these examples as it sought to defuse the row. |
| The fourth and final example omitted in July was “claiming that Israel’s existence as a state is a racist endeavour”. Party insiders said they were concerned that the last part of the statement could be used to restrict legitimate criticism of the actions of the Israeli government and its treatment of Palestinians, and they initially sought to keep it out of the code. | The fourth and final example omitted in July was “claiming that Israel’s existence as a state is a racist endeavour”. Party insiders said they were concerned that the last part of the statement could be used to restrict legitimate criticism of the actions of the Israeli government and its treatment of Palestinians, and they initially sought to keep it out of the code. |
| Why were many Jewish MPs and groups unhappy? | Why were many Jewish MPs and groups unhappy? |
| Jewish organisations said minorities should be allowed to define the prejudice they face, along the lines of the Macpherson principle, and complained that they had not been properly consulted by the party. They also argue that antisemitism and the Israel-Palestine question are two separate issues, one being to do with personal politics and the other being a foreign policy question. | Jewish organisations said minorities should be allowed to define the prejudice they face, along the lines of the Macpherson principle, and complained that they had not been properly consulted by the party. They also argue that antisemitism and the Israel-Palestine question are two separate issues, one being to do with personal politics and the other being a foreign policy question. |
| How did Labour’s leadership respond prior to the NEC meeting? | How did Labour’s leadership respond prior to the NEC meeting? |
| A string of key Labour figures, including the leaders of the three largest unions, the GMB, Unison, and Unite, favoured adopting the IHRA definition in full, with all its examples, to resolve the row. By the end of August the party’s leadership had indicated it would adopt the fourth and final example that had been omitted – as long the party could add some sort of clarification to the IHRA code to protect free speech. | A string of key Labour figures, including the leaders of the three largest unions, the GMB, Unison, and Unite, favoured adopting the IHRA definition in full, with all its examples, to resolve the row. By the end of August the party’s leadership had indicated it would adopt the fourth and final example that had been omitted – as long the party could add some sort of clarification to the IHRA code to protect free speech. |
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