CARDIFF AM ‘SORRY’ FOR JEWISH REMARKS
JENNY RATHBONE FACES CALLS TO QUIT OVER COMMENTS ABOUT CITY SYNAGOGUE
CARDIFF Central Labour AM Jenny Rathbone is facing a call for her to resign or be expelled in the wake of controversial reported comments about Jews and anti-Semitism.
She will meet a local rabbi to apologise and will refer herself for “equalities training”.
The Jewish Chronicle released a recording in which she appears to link anti-Semitism to Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories and argue that Jews in this country have a responsibility to promote peace.
In the recording, she is told that a synagogue in the Cyncoed area of Cardiff has had to “install bullet-proof glass” but she suggests that “siege mentalities are also a part of this”.
The AM compares the Welsh synagogue to a “fortress” and says it is hard for her to judge “how much of it is for real and how much of it is in their own heads”.
Her comments, made in 2017, have triggered alarm among Jewish groups and a call for her to quit.
Marie van der Zyl, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, condemned Ms Rathbone’s remarks.
She said: “These comments are inexcusable. She says it is ‘uncomfortable’ for outsiders to see the local synagogue be protected like a ‘fortress’ and that these necessary security measures are somehow part of the Jewish community’s collective paranoia. In light of the Pittsburgh massacre, and the ongoing terrorist threat to Jews around the world, she should immediately disown these remarks.
“The Labour Party should be ashamed that yet another example has emerged of its elected representatives blaming Jews for the tragedies that befall them. But we are long past being surprised.”
An even stronger attack came from Euan Philipps, spokesman for Labour Against AntiSemitism.
He said: “Jenny Rathbone’s reported comments are anti-Semitic under Labour’s own adopted definition of anti-Semitism and she has to resign...
“Equally offensive is her suggestion that security threats against Jews are ‘in their heads.’ There has been a huge growth in antiSemitism hate crime in the UK over recent years and recent Home Office figures show Jews are twice as likely to be attacked as the nearest religious grouping.
“We also call on First Minister Carwyn Jones to make an example of Ms Rathbone and lead efforts to expel her from the Labour Party. There can be no place for this kind of hate speech in the Welsh Labour movement.”
Ms Rathbone’s issued a statement saying: “I accept that comments I made last year were insensitive and have laid me open to accusations of intolerance. I’ve always appreciated the good relationship I’ve had with my local Jewish community and I apologise for any upset that my remarks may have caused to individual constituents and the wider Jewish community.
“I am meeting one of my local rabbis later today to apologise directly. With levels of antiSemitism on the rise in many Western countries, and following the devastating attack on Pittsburgh synagogue, no-one can or should downplay the fears and concerns that many Jewish people are experiencing. I had no intention of doing so and I am deeply sorry that I did.
“It is also not acceptable to suggest that the Jewish community are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. I had already accepted the kind invitation to attend the forthcoming Chanukah celebration at Cardiff United Synagogue, and hope that I will still be welcome to join them.
“I hope to be able to continue to work closely with the local Jewish community to deepen my understanding of their concerns and experiences, and I will be referring myself for equalities training to assist with this process.”
Welsh Labour leadership contender and Health Secretary Vaughan Gething also condemned the comments, saying: “There can’t be equivocation when it comes to antiSemitism. Claiming that anti-Semitism isn’t a problem belittles and denies the very real experiences of people, who are entitled to expect much more from the Labour Party.
“I do not agree with Jenny Rathbone’s comments. I do not believe that additional security measures around synagogues comes from a ‘siege mentality.’
“We have to demonstrate leadership that is consistent with our values and stamp out antiSemitism.”
South Wales East Conservative AM Mohammad Asghar said tackling anti-Semitism within Labour would be a “problem” for First Minister Carwyn Jones’ successor, saying: “These comments are flippant and ignorant of anti-Semitism in the UK, and give disregard to the threat that the Jewish community has faced. Instead of brushing hate crime under the carpet, we should all be working to fight it.”