Support for Corbyn amid ‘Zionist’ row
JOHN McDonnell has defended Jeremy Corbyn after the Labour leader was dragged into a new anti-Semitism row.
Footage has emerged of Mr Corbyn saying British Zionists do not understand English irony.
Discussing a speech by Palestinian Ambassador Manuel Hassassian, Mr Corbyn said: “Zionists in the audience... berated him afterwards... They don’t want to study history.
“And... they don’t understand English irony.”
Labour’s Luciana Berger said the video contained “inexcusable comments”.
But Shadow Chancellor Mr McDonnell said the footage from 2013 had been taken out of context.
Mr Corbyn’s team said he had referred to “proIsrael activists misunderstanding” the ambassador.