Labour MPs demand Jeremy Corbyn accept global definition of anti-Semitism
Chuka Umunna warned that Labour’s continued treatment of the Jewish community could be perceived as 'institutionally racist' as 68 rabbis condemned the party
FURIOUS Labour MPs last night officially demanded the party accept the international definition of anti-Semitism in a stunning rebuke to Jeremy Corbyn.
At a parliamentary meeting, backbenchers overwhelmingly called on the party’s ruling NEC committee to drop its own controversial definition that it wants to rubber stamp today.
It came as 68 rabbis condemned Labour in an unprecedented open letter.
Ahead of the emotionally charged meeting, Chuka Umunna warned that the party’s treatment of the Jewish community could be viewed as “institutionally racist”.
Wes Streeting MP said he was already meeting Jewish schoolchildren who told him they believed Labour was anti-Semitic.
And he urged the NEC to “pull this absolute mess off the table”.
Former Shadow Minister Chris Bryant said “1930s anti-Jewish tropes” were back with a vengeance and the party had to take a stand.
He stormed: “There is an international definition that is accepted by every local authority - we should simply accept it and be done with it.”
A 16-point definition of anti-Semitism set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has been accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and 124 councils.
Labour has agreed to adopt the IHRA definition – but crucially strip out four key examples. This means activists could escape punishment even if they compare Israeli policy to the Nazis or accuse Jews of “being more loyal to Israel” than their own country.
Luciana Berger stormed: “The Jewish community must be allowed to define the anti-Semitic hate that is directed towards it, not some members of a Labour party working group.
“The motion passed at tonight’s of the Parliamentary Labour Party sends a strong signal that we adopt the IHRA definition in full, and that any attempt to tinker, water down, or otherwise amend it must be resisted.”
Earlier 68 British rabbis revealed a joint letter saying Labour had “chosen to ignore the Jewish community”. And they accused the party of acting in an “insulting and arrogant way” by choosing in it new code to amend the international definition of anti-Semitism.
Signatories include Rabbi Harvey Belovski- the vice chair of the United Synagogue’s rabbinical council.
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“Antisemitism within sections of the Labour party has become so severe and widespread that we must speak out with one voice,” the letter says.
Labour vehemently denied that it was attempting to redefine antisemitism. A spokeswoman said: “This Code of Conduct is not a new definition of antisemitism and does not seek to re-define antisemitism.
“The Code adopts the IHRA definition and contextualises and adds to the working examples to produce practical guidelines that a political party can apply in disciplinary cases.
“They are the most detailed and comprehensive guidelines on antisemitism adopted by any political party in this country.”
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