Amid bitter row, UK Labour adopts new definition of anti-Semitism

LONDON: The ruling body of Britain’s main opposition Labour party agreed Tuesday to adopt in full an international definition of anti- Semitism for its code of conduct, after a bitter row that reignited internal criticism of leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour’s National Executive Committee ( NEC) agreed that in dealing with anti- Jewish abuse, it would use the defi nition and examples drawn up by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ( IHRA).

Critics had argued that certain IHRA examples could curb legitimate criticism of the state of Israel.

The debate fed into a monthslong row over anti-Semitism in the party, in which MPs and Jewish groups have repeatedly accused Corbyn of failing to clamp down on the problem.

The Labour leader, a veteran pro-Palestinian campaigner, has also been forced to defend his own behaviour in recent months, including from criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The NEC meeting at Labour’s London headquarters lasted several hours, while outside, noisy demonstrators gathered from both sides of the debate.

“The NEC has today adopted all of the IHRA examples of antiSemitism, in addition to the IHRA defi nition which Labour adopted in 2016,” a Labour spokesman said.

They were adopted ‘alongside a statement which ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians’.

However, this statement drew immediate criticism. — AFP