Victory shows anti-semitism is normal in party, say Labour MPS
LABOUR’S by-election victory in Peterborough shows that anti-semitism has become “normal” in the party, its own MPS have warned.
As Jeremy Corbyn praised his candidate, Lisa Forbes, as an “excellent” addition to Labour’s parliamentary team, MPS challenged the decision to campaign for a woman widely condemned by Jewish leaders.
Wes Streeting said he had “given up hope” of Labour showing it was serious about tackling anti-semitism, and former minister Dame Margaret Hodge said Ms Forbes had “a lot to answer for”.
They were joined by the Jewish Labour Movement, who claimed that Ms Forbes’ victory was the “perfect example” of the party failing to take a “zero-tolerance approach to anti-jewish hate”.
Days before Peterborough went to the polls, Ms Forbes was forced to apologise after she was found to have “liked” an anti-semitic Facebook post which claimed Theresa May was following a “Zionist slave masters agenda”.
In another comment she said she had “enjoyed reading” a thread claiming Islamic extremism was created “by the CIA and Mossad”. Last year, she also signed a letter to Labour’s governing body, imploring the party not to adopt an internationally recognised definition of anti-semitism.
It is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Labour’s handling of anti-jewish hatred, which has now culminated in the launch of a statutory investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Despite the row, Mr Corbyn and a series of shadow cabinet ministers, including
‘This has encouraged a culture where someone who has shared racist material can gain public office’
the shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell, joined Ms Forbes on the campaign trail. The Labour candidate beat Mike Greene of the Brexit Party by 683 votes.
Calling on Labour to suspend Ms Forbes, a spokesman for the Jewish Labour Movement said: “This has encouraged a culture to develop where not only is it acceptable for someone who has shared racist material and rejected the internationally accepted definition of anti-semitism to be a member, but they can advance politically and gain public office.”
Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said that while she was “glad” the Brexit Party had been defeated,“the reality is I cannot be gleeful or proud as I’d want to be because of how it shows that anti-semitism is becoming normal in the party”.
She added: “Lisa ignored and endorsed anti-semitic things. I’ll take her explanation and apology at face value and look forward to her proving, as others have, that actions not excuses alone can heal.
“But with every case the party’s values chip away and our ability to stand up against hate erodes.”
Her comments were echoed by Dame Margaret, the veteran Jewish MP, who said she had “seriously mixed feelings” about Labour’s win in Peterborough. “Lisa Forbes and the Labour Party have a lot to answer for,” she continued. “We must learn lessons and never have a repeat of this.”
Ms Forbes had apologised for “not calling out these posts” and insisted she did not have an “anti-semitic bone” in her body, but the disclosure of the social media posts led to Labour’s official Jewish affiliate refusing to campaign for her. She escaped disciplinary action on the proviso that she undertake anti-semitism training.
Speaking to reporters in Peterborough yesterday, Ms Forbes said she was “really sorry” for the hurt caused by her remarks, adding that she “never had any intention to hurt anyone”.