Labour report showing increased antisemitism expulsions is criticised by JLM
Party says 45 members were kicked out and 300 suspended in last 12 months, but the Jewish Labour Movement says the party 'should not be allowed to judge its own processes'
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
The Jewish Labour Movement has criticised a report by the party, claiming that increased expulsions for antisemitism show it’s taking action on Jew-hate.
Statistics released this week show 45 members were kicked out over antisemitism in 2019, compared to just 10 the previous year, while almost 300 have bee suspended.
The party’s report, which it says presents “the greatest display of transparency” over the issue, claims, increase is due to the introduction of a quicker process for expelling racists in its ranks, with 149 people having either left or been removed in the last 12 months.
“This report demonstrates that we are taking more decisive action than ever before” on Jew-hate, a party spokesperson said, adding that “reforms made by Jennie Formby as General Secretary have led to a significant increase in suspensions and expulsions.
“Under the new rapid expulsion powers proposed by Jeremy Corbyn, we have expelled twice the number of people for antisemitism in just two months than the whole of 2018.
This comes amid a probe into allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
The Jewish Labour Movement however criticised the report, saying: “After years of acting in bad faith and administering a broken system which fosters institutional anti-Jewish racism, the Labour Party should not be allowed to judge its own processes.
“That’s why the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in investigating the Labour Party. Following years of asking for regular reports and statistics, it’s striking that it is only whist being investigated by the EHRC that the Labour Party has begun to do so.”
The Party says it twice published statistics on antisemitism cases in 2019.
Today the Labour Party has released a report into its disciplinary processes, read our reaction. pic.twitter.com/Xz1s88TjE5
— Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) January 28, 2020
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