Corbyn must change his party’s culture

Sir, – Fife councillor Mary Lockhart has been suspended following a Facebook post criticising the editorial stance of some Jewish newspapers (Courier, July 31).

The sooner Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tries to resolve the larger issue by adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance code on anti -Semitism the better it will be for his party’s unity and public image.

It won’t, however, solve a basic problem.

The code is simply a guide – it can be interpreted in a number of different ways.

Since few people will have ever read it, it is worth quoting the text: “Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of this are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish institutions and religious facilities”.

These words shouldn’t rule out civilised debate about the complex Israel-Palestine situation, or the role of the Israeli intelligence service.

Israel is not the only country in the world that is involved in territorial disputes; Mossad is not the only intelligence service in the world whose activities draw controversy.

People ought to be able to criticise without using offensive language that could be seen as anti-Jewish, anti-Islam, anti-Christian or anti-Buddhist.

There are always problems, though, in suggesting that any of these groups is involved in an international conspiracy to subvert justice.

Therein lies the real challenge for Labour and Mr Corbyn.

It is as much a matter of culture and protocol as anything else.

Bob Taylor.

24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.