Labour adopts recognised definition of anti-Semitism

Jeremy Corbyn has said he does not believe it is anti-Semitic to describe the creation of Israel as racist in a move which has seen his relationship with the Jewish community plumb new depths.

The Labour leader was yesterday accused by Jewish leaders of ‘‘shamefully’’ attempting to ‘‘undermine’’ an internationally recognised definition of antiSemitism and siding with those ‘‘who hate Israel’’ over British Jews.

The row erupted after Corbyn called for Labour to adopt his personal statement alongside its revised definition of antiSemitism which would have allowed activists to describe ‘‘Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist’’. However, he was overruled by the party’s ruling body, which chose instead to accept the international definition of anti-Semitism in full while acknowledging the right of Palestinians to free speech.

Simon Johnson, the chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, warned that the addition of caveats was an attempt to drive ‘‘a coach and horses through’’ the original definition set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Johnson also lashed out at the Labour leadership, who he alleged had misled Jewish groups by failing to disclose Corbyn’s failed proposal.

‘‘It has now become absolutely clear that the leader of the party attempted shamefully to undermine the entire IHRA definition,’’ he added.

‘‘It is clearly more important to the Labour leader to protect the free speech of those who hate Israel than it is to protect the Jewish community from the real threats that it faces.’’

The original IHRA definition makes clear that any attempt to deny Jewish people the right to self-determination, or to describe the creation of Israel as a ‘‘racist endeavour’’, is likely to be seen as anti-Semitic. – Telegraph Group