Call for Labour to take a harder line on anti-Semitism as Corbyn apologises

CALLS FOR Labour to take a harder line against anti-Semitism have intensified after Jeremy Corbyn apologised for sharing a platform with people who reportedly compared Israel to the Nazis.

Mr Corbyn issued the apology after it emerged he had hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2010 at which speakers are said to have likened the actions of Israel in Gaza to Hitler’s regime.

The Labour leader acknowledged that he had appeared alongside people “whose views I completely reject” and apologised for the “concerns and anxiety” that caused.

He said: “The main speaker at this Holocaust Memorial Day meeting, part of a tour entitled ‘never again – for anyone’, was a Jewish Auschwitz survivor.

“Views were expressed at the meeting which I do not accept or condone.

“In the past, in pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people and peace in Israel/Palestine, I have on occasion appeared on platforms with people whose views I completely reject. I apologise for the concerns and anxiety that this has caused.”

Labour’s Bassetlaw MP John Mann insisted Mr Corbyn went against “normal decency” with the 2010 meeting.

Mr Mann said it was “extraordinary” that the Labour leader had held a “protest event” on Holocaust Memorial Day.

And a member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), Ann Black, called on the party leader to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, including its examples.

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock tweeted: “This is now a full blown crisis for our party.”

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) has referred Labour to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and made a complaint to the party about comments by Mr Corbyn and his hosting of the 2010 event.

CAA chairman Gideon Falter was scathing about Mr Corbyn’s apology.