Corbyn says ‘Israel’ — cue the applause
JEREMY CORBYN has outlined his hope of working to bring a“permanent, long-term peace” to the Middle East, while insisting he will not allow the party to become a home for antisemitism.
The Labour leader also paid tribute to S him on Per es, describing him as a“giant of Israeli politics”.
Speaking at the Labour Friends of Israel reception at the party’ s conference on Tuesday, Mr Corbyn said: “The Labour Party is not a home for antisemitism in any form. I do not intend to allow it to be. The Labour Party must be, specifically, an anti-racist party, and opposed to antisemitism in any form, anywhere in our movement.”
Mr Corbyn had been heavily criticised for failing to say the word “Israel” at the same event at last year’s conference.
But he was applauded by the audience in Liverpool after thanking supporters who had reported anti semi tic incidents to the party for investigation.
“People have come and talked to me, and others in my team, about the antisemitism that has reared its ugly head in various places, and have helped to advise and inform us of how we deal with antisemitism,” Mr Corbyn said.
He had initially been booed when he was introduced alongside Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, but repeatedly expressed his delight at being invited to address the event.
He said: “I want to thank Labour Friends of Israel for their contribution in building awareness of the different dimensions of the Middle East conflict, and the crucial debate about how to achieve a peaceful long-term settlement .”
In conciliatory comments, he also thanked MP Joan Ryan, LFI chair, and Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, who appeared alongside him.
Mr Corbyn added :“I’ m genuinely glad to be here today to come together to campaign for a two-state solution for both Israeli sand Palestinians. I hope that will be achieved.
“Last night, I spoke to Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, as you know. I voted for recognition of the state of Palestine in the Commons. I think that is an important step forward.”
He concluded by wishing the crowd “shana tova ahead of next week’s Rosh Hashanah”.
Earlier, in comments clearly directed at the Labour leader, Knesset member Michal Biran said from the podium: “Hamas are not friends. They are not freedom fighters. They do not have the best interests of the Palestinian people at heart. They are antisemites. They are part of the problem, not the solution.”
Mr Corbyn had referred to Hamas as “friends” during a meeting in Parliament in 2009. He did not react as Ms B iran received an ovation for urging him to visit the Y ad V ash em Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
Jewish Labour activists said they felt Mr Corbyn was taking their concerns more seriously than during the past year.
One LFI source said the “bar was low” in expectation of Mr Corbyn’s speech, but acknowledged he had repeatedly talked about Israel and the group’ s work.