The British Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership has been rocked by yet another anti-Semitism scandal, after the party failed to sign up in full to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, The Times of Israel reported Thursday.
Labour’s code, which was approved this week by a sub-committee of its National Executive Committee – without consultation of the Jewish community – followed a series of anti-Semitic scandals in the party, including its leader Jeremy Corbyn over his approving comments of the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Labour’s new guidance system lists behaviors regarded as anti-Semitic, however, it states, “It is not anti-Semitism to refer to “Zionism” and “Zionists” as part of a discussion about the Israeli state.” The code also leaves out other cornerstones central to IHRA’s definition, including:
• Accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country
• Claiming that Israel’s existence as a state is a racist endeavor
• Requiring higher standards of behavior from Israel than other nations
• Comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of the Nazis
The Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews said in an angry joint statement that it was “impossible to understand” why Labour had not adopted the IHRA definition in full – as the UK Jewish community, governments, and local councils recommended and enforced.
“The UK Jewish community has adopted in full the IHRA definition, as have the British Government, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament, 124 local authorities across the country and numerous governments around the world,” they said.
“It is impossible to understand why Labour refuses to align itself with this universal definition. Its actions only dilute the definition and further erode the existing lack of confidence that British Jews have in their sincerity to tackle anti-Semitism within the Labour movement.”
Labour MPs Chuka Umunna, Liz Kendall and Anna Turley are among those who have been critical of the party’s decision. Umunna said he was “utterly appalled”, adding “Our values dictate that we treat all groups the same and yet, again and again, we see examples of the Jewish community being treated differently to other groups by the Labour Party. This is discrimination, pure and simple, and it is totally unacceptable.”
Turley apologized and observed “Labour are getting this all terribly wrong. Not in my name,” while Kendall said the party “should be holding ourselves to the same high standards,” as other bodies that have adopted the IHRA definition.
The Labour Against Anti-Semitism campaign described the code as a “toothless document” adding: “The Labour Party already has very little credibility left as the anti-racist body it has always claimed to be (…) The formal adoption of this document would see any remaining credibility lost, perhaps permanently.”
Corbyn had been forced in March to apologize to the Jewish community, following a series of anti-Semitic scandals in the party. At the time he said he was “sincerely sorry for the pain which has been caused” and vowed to “redouble my efforts” to tackle anti-Semitism. Critics continue to attack the Labour leadership for its lack of meaningful action.
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