Friday, September 23, 2016
Corbyn in more trouble over fresh anti-semitism claims
The Labour leader has plunged his party into more controversy when his campaign released a video showing his supporters dismissing a number of attacks on him. In particular they have once more riled the British Board of Deputies, which represents many UK Jews with the claim that accusations of antisemitism are simply a result of his detractors 'losing the political argument’.
The President of the Board Jonathan Arkush said the Labour Leader must now make clear publically if he agrees with these comments:
He told The Independent: “I want to put over my bewilderment and deep concern at how Jeremy Corbyn’s own leadership campaign could possibly have thought this video appropriate given what has happened.
“It speaks volumes about the dismissive attitudes towards antisemitism in parts of the party.”
He added: “If people are so dismissive of racism in their own midst, how can they deserve the trust of their own members, let alone the electorate?”
It seems that this is an issue that will not go away for Corbyn despite a report by Shami Chakrabarti which was commissioned to explore if there was anti-Semitism in the party after numerous incidents, including those which led to the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone.
The Chakrabarti report said Labour was not overrun by antisemitism or other forms of racism, but that there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere" and "too much clear evidence... of ignorant attitudes".
However, this week Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth told how she has received more than 25,000 incidents of abuse, much of it racial.
Ms Smeeth walked out of the launch of the Chakrabarti report after being challenged by an activist at the event.
The President of the Board Jonathan Arkush said the Labour Leader must now make clear publically if he agrees with these comments:
He told The Independent: “I want to put over my bewilderment and deep concern at how Jeremy Corbyn’s own leadership campaign could possibly have thought this video appropriate given what has happened.
“It speaks volumes about the dismissive attitudes towards antisemitism in parts of the party.”
He added: “If people are so dismissive of racism in their own midst, how can they deserve the trust of their own members, let alone the electorate?”
It seems that this is an issue that will not go away for Corbyn despite a report by Shami Chakrabarti which was commissioned to explore if there was anti-Semitism in the party after numerous incidents, including those which led to the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone.
The Chakrabarti report said Labour was not overrun by antisemitism or other forms of racism, but that there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere" and "too much clear evidence... of ignorant attitudes".
However, this week Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth told how she has received more than 25,000 incidents of abuse, much of it racial.
Ms Smeeth walked out of the launch of the Chakrabarti report after being challenged by an activist at the event.
