Jewish newspapers unite in front page attack on Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism claims

'We do so because of the existential threat to Jewish life in this country that would be posed by a Jeremy Corbyn-led government.'
Three prominent Jewish newspapers warned a Labour Government would pose an 'existential threat to Jewish life'
PA Wire/PA Images
Ella Wills26 July 2018

Jeremy Corbyn was today slammed by the country's three most prominent Jewish newspapers in a joint editorial warning a Labour Government would pose an "existential threat to Jewish life in this country".

Under the headline "United We Stand", the Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Telegraph and Jewish News attacked Labour's refusal to adopt in full the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, and its wider record on the issue since Mr Corbyn became leader.

They urged Labour MPs to back a motion to be debated by the parliamentary party in September to accept the IHRA definition in full, including its list of examples of anti-Semitic behaviour.

Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, told Sky News that the front pages - on papers that normally have an "intense rivalry" - were prompted by "Labour's anti-Semitism crisis".

Labour insisted Mr Corbyn and the party are "fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and its organisations".

The editorial declared: "Today, Britain’s three leading Jewish newspapers – Jewish News, Jewish Chronicle and Jewish Telegraph – take the unprecedented step of speaking as one by publishing the same front page.

"We do so because of the existential threat to Jewish life in this country that would be posed by a Jeremy Corbyn-led government."

The papers said that until recently the party was "the natural home for our community", but that Labour had "seen its values and integrity eroded by Corbynite contempt for Jews and Israel".

"The stain and shame of anti-Semitism has coursed through Her Majesty’s Opposition since Jeremy Corbyn became leader in 2015," they wrote.

The editorial added that Labour had "diluted" the internationally-recognised IHRA definition with the effect that "political anti-Semitism targeting Israel" is regarded as acceptable unless racist intent can be proved.

They alleged the changes were made in order to avoid the need to expel hundreds or even thousands of party members.

"With the Government in Brexit disarray, there is a clear and present danger that a man with a default blindness to the Jewish community's fears, a man who has a problem seeing that hateful rhetoric aimed at Israel can easily step into anti-Semitism, could be our next prime minister," stated the editorial.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Pollard said: "We all decided straight away that this was something that we had to do in terms of the interest of the Jewish community and the Labour party."

The newspapers came together to show the Jewish community "we are united", he said, and "more importantly saying to the Labour party that the Jewish community is united against what you are not doing".

"When it comes down to actions Jeremy Corbyn is doing nothing," Mr Pollard said.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and its organisations.

"The next Labour government poses no threat of any kind whatsoever to Jewish people.

Protest organised by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism outside the head office of the British opposition Labour Party in central London on April 8, 2018.
AFP/Getty Images

"The security and wellbeing of Jewish people is a priority for our party and in government we will always ensure schools, synagogues and institutions are properly protected.

"We understand the strong concerns raised in the Jewish community and are seeking to engage with communal organisations to build trust and confidence in our party. We know there is a huge amount of work to do."

Mr Corbyn has asked Labour's new general secretary Jennie Formby to make it her top priority to strengthen disciplinary procedures on anti-Semitism, said the spokesman.

"Labour's code of conduct on anti-Semitism adopts the IHRA definition and expands on and contextualises its examples to produce robust, legally-sound guidelines that a political party can apply to disciplinary cases," he said.

"We have concerns about one half of one of the IHRA's 11 examples, which could be used to deny Palestinians, including Palestinian citizens of Israel and their supporters, their rights and freedoms to describe the discrimination and injustices they face in the language they deem appropriate."

Labour peer Melvyn Bragg accused Jeremy Corbyn of "feebleness" in tackling anti-Semitism within the party.

In a letter to The Times, Lord Bragg said he does not believe Mr Corbyn is a racist, but said he has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in the party effectively.

"The virus of anti-Semitism is growing in the UK and Corbyn is in a strong position to stamp it out without any equivocation," said the former South Bank Show presenter.

"Jeremy Corbyn's feebleness on this matter is a disgrace to the Labour Party and shames its traditional creed of tolerance, as well as grossly insulting some of our fellow citizens."

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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