David Miliband: It was ‘horrifying’ to see anti-Semitism in Labour
The ex-Labour leadership contender spoke of shock at seeing of racism against Jews becoming a problem in the party
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
David Miliband has said it was “horrifying to see the words anti-Semitism and Labour in the same sentence” in his first direct comments since the party was engulfed in a row over the scourge.
A number of councillors and members have been suspended or expelled by Labour in the past six months – with the leader launching an inquiry into anti-Semitism and racism as a result.
Asked by what he made of Jeremy Corbyn’s response to the issue, the former foreign secretary told the Jewish News: “I never thought I’d see the day when the words Labour and anti-Semitism were in the same sentence – and clearly they have been in the same sentence many times in the last year. It’s imperative to fight back against that with every sinew.
“I think labour has to find a way back with all communities including the Jewish community. We have to always be a party that is acutely determined to be an open and welcoming home for all parts of Britain. It’s incumbent on everyone at different levels to do everything they can to make sure the great parts of Labour’s history in fighting anti-Semitism are never compromised.”
Miliband, who accused Corbyn of making the party “unelectable” during his campaign for re-election, added that there are many who “spoken up very clearly within the Labour family and I think those need to be listened to”.
Following criticism from the home affairs select committee over Twitter’s failure to do enough to clamp down on hate, Miliband said “anonymity is not an excuse for hate and there is far too much hate of too many kinds, too much bile pouring around. Bile and hate are the antithesis of argument”. Asked if he had been targeted by anti-Semites likes many high-profile Jews online, he added: “I think it’s important not to read too much of your own social media or other threads.”
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.
