Corbyn admits membership of controversial FB group, but denies seeing anti-Semitic posts
Labour leader claims he 'was joined on to that group with knowing' and insists he has since left, while condemning all anti-Semitism
Jeremy Corbyn has admitted having been a member of a controversial private Facebook group about Palestine but denied ever seeing anti-Semitic posts.
Labour is investigating after claims abusive messages about Jews where exchanged on the forum emerged, following an exhaustive report by blogger David Collier.
Corbyn said he was signed up to the group – Palestine Live – without his knowledge but later exchanged messages on it.
He told the Press Association: “I was joined on to that group without knowing it in probably about 2013/14.
“I removed myself from the group in 2015. I replied by Facebook message to a couple of things about a suggestion on the vote on recognising Palestine, which I supported, and inviting a doctor to speak at an event.
“I have never trawled through the whole group. I have never read all the messages on it. I have removed myself from it.
“Obviously, any anti-Semitic comment is wrong. Any anti-Semitism in any form is wrong.”
READ MORE:
-
- OPINION – David Collier: I shook the tree, look at the rotten apples that fell…
- OPINION – Dave Rich: Culture Corbyn leads fosters the anti-Semitism he claims to condemn
- Corbyn named in Facebook hate group probe, as Labour suspends members
- Lord Sacks: I wouldn’t sit down with Corbyn until Labour tackles anti-Semitism
The 280-page report published by Collier, titled ‘Anti-Semitism inside Palestine Live’, claims to unearth a sordid 3,000-strong social media network of anti-Semitism on the left that includes prominent public commentators and politicians including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and MPs Clive Lewis and Chris Williamson, as well as Baroness Jenny Tonge.
David Collier writes in the Jewish News this week, explaining that “the frightening aspect [of compiling the report] was the make-up and dynamic of the group, this group consisted of anti-Israel royalty. MPs, a sitting member of the House of Lords, journalists and leading representatives from most of the activist organisations.
“And underneath their feet, protected by this legitimate cover, all the elements that exist in the shadows were mingling together as one, Holocaust Deniers, Rothschild Conspiracy Theorists and White Supremacists.”
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism published screenshots of messages said to have been posted on the Palestine Live group.
Among the comments exchanged are claims about Israeli involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and as well as links to neo-Nazi groups postings.
Mr Corbyn said the party “doesn’t tolerate” anti-Semitism “in any form” and he would have challenged any abusive posts if he had seen them.
“Had I seen it, of course, I would have challenged it straight away but I actually don’t spend all my time reading social media,” he said.
Chris Williamson MP, who was also named as being in the group, told Jewish News: “I get well over a hundred notifications from social media every single day. I was not aware that I was added to this group nor have I participated in it. Upon being informed that I was a member I have left the group. Facebook should change its settings to enable users to accept or decline membership of groups.”
Clive Lewis MP and Baroness Tonge, who were also named have been approached for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
