JEWISH LABOUR GROUP PROTEST AT ‘CENSORSHIP’
Row over anti-semitism training at conference Clash puts relationship with party at all-time low
JEREMY Corbyn was under renewed pressure over his party’s anti-semitism row last night after Labour’s biggest Jewish group pulled out of holding anti-racism training sessions.
The Jewish Labour Movement was scheduled to host the lessons at next month’s party conference in Liverpool.
But the group claims Labour’s leadership wants to “censor” their talks on what constitutes anti-Jewish conduct.
A letter sent by Ivor Caplin, the JLM chair, to Jennie Formby, Labour’s general secretary, accuses the party of “unacceptable” interference.
One source admitted: “This row has put Corbyn’s relationship with the largest Jewish group in the party at breaking point.
“It goes to the very heart of the clash between the leadership and most of Britain’s Jewish community.
“It shows that, despite indications the problem was starting to be resolved, the sides are still miles apart.”
Sources have confirmed that the biggest area of dispute was over whether the state of Israel could be described as a “racist endeavour”.
The JLM argue it is wrong to suggest Israel is racist because of its historic link to the Jewish people.
Labour leader Mr Corbyn has argued that it is possible to be antiZionist without being anti-semitic.
The JLM, whose parliamentary chair is Luciana Berger MP, has hosted training in how to avoid being antisemitic at the last three Labour conferences. The move was part of an attempt to crack down on anti-Jewish conduct among some members.
But the JLM has long faced claims from left-wing critics that it is a proZionist organisation.
The anti-semitism row has hit Labour hard in polling.
A party source said: “The Tories are in a total meltdown over Brexit so we should have opened up a lead.
“But we’ve not been able to do what we should have been doing because no one has drawn a line under this.
“There are historic problems among the membership. The whole thing is just a mess.”