Labour referred to Equality and Human Rights Commission by CAA
Jewish charity fighting anti-Semitism cites the party's 'discrimination against Jews' in formal complaint to the body
A Jewish organisation has referred the Labour Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission citing its “discrimination against Jews”.
The announcement came as the organisation confirmed it had appointed Dame Margaret Hodge and Ian Austin as its patrons, after they were warned about their conduct over the issue of anti-Semitism in the party.
In its complaint to the Commission, the CAA said it had cited Labour’s refusal to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism with all its examples.
It also cited the party’s “failure to investigate previous complaints against [Jeremy] Corbyn, unreasonable delay and secrecy in disciplinary investigations, bias in disciplinary matters and victimisation of Labour MPs who stand up to anti-Semitism”.
This included Hodge and Austin, the organisation said, after Hodge swore at Corbyn and called him “an anti-Semite”. Days later Austin was warned over his conduct towards party chair Ian Lavery on the matter, but denied being abusive.
The CAA said it was also making a formal complaint to the Labour Party about Corbyn personally, for hosting a parliamentary event in 2010, which “promoted the narrative that Israel is engaged in acts comparable to Nazi war crimes”.
It added that it had also complained about a Press TV interview Corbyn gave in 2012 after the network had its license revoked by Ofcom, in which he suggested “the hand of Israel” was behind recent deaths in Egypt.
“The evidence shows beyond all doubt that Jeremy Corbyn is an anti-Semite and the Labour Party has become institutionally anti-Semitic,” said CAA chairman Gideon Falter. “The problem is not one man but an entire movement.”
He added that the CAA had taken the “extraordinary step” of complaining to the Equality and Human Rights Commission because “Corbyn and the party have no intention of taking action”.
READ MORE:
- Corbyn sorry for attending Holocaust memorial event comparing Israel to Nazis
- Peter Willsman refers himself for equalities training over anti-Semitism rant
- OPINION: As long as Pete Willsman remains there can be no trust at all
- OPINION: This Labour horse is dead, stop flogging it
- OPINION: Anti-Semitism and Corbyn’s warped worldview go hand-in-hand
The CAA referral made the complaint to Labour about comments by Mr Corbyn and his hosting of a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2010 at which speakers reportedly compared the actions of Israel in Gaza to the Nazis.
The Labour leader acknowledged that he had appeared alongside people “whose views I completely reject” and apologised for the “concerns and anxiety” that caused.
He said: “The main speaker at this Holocaust Memorial Day meeting, part of a tour entitled ‘never again – for anyone’, was a Jewish Auschwitz survivor. Views were expressed at the meeting which I do not accept or condone.
“In the past, in pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people and peace in Israel/Palestine, I have on occasion appeared on platforms with people whose views I completely reject. I apologise for the concerns and anxiety that this has caused.”
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.
