Jeremy Corbyn: Deniers of anti-Semitism in Labour are part of problem
Labour leader says cases are ‘few’ but vows to take personal responsibility in tackling scourge
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Jeremy Corbyn has said that anyone who denies the existence of anti-Semitism is part of the problem.
The Labour leader made the comments in a video released on social media as he and his party continue to be engulfed by scandal over antisemitism. Members are also expected to receive a message on the issue from the leader today.
While he insisted cases were “few” – less than 0.1 percent of the total membership – Corbyn says “one is too many”.
Pledging that it is “my responsibility to root out anti-Semitism”, he said: “I’m sorry for the hurt that’s been caused to many Jewish people. We have been too slow in processing disciplinary cases. We are working to speed these up.
There is no place for antisemitism in the Labour Party. We must drive it out of our movement for good. pic.twitter.com/V1voY75yz4
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 5, 2018
“Our party must never be a home for such people and never will be. People who use antisemitic poison need to understand you
Do not do it in my name or the name of the party. You are not our supporters”.
Much of the video echoes the words he used in a Guardian oped that has been criticised by the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council.
But in his strongest message yet on those who deny anti-Semitism exists in the party, Corbyn adds: “Anyone who denies this has surfaced in our party is clearly wrong and contributing to the problem.”
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.
