I will eliminate anti-Semitism wherever it is
Corbyn pledge ahead of protest
JEREMY Corbyn has insisted that he is a “militant opponent of anti-Semitism” and an ally in the fight to tackle it.
The Labour leader said yesterday: “I will not tolerate any form of anti-Semitism that exists in or around our party and movement.
“I am committed to eliminating anti-Semitism wherever it exists.”
It came as about 300 protesters gathered outside Parliament last night. Jewish Leadership Council chairman Jonathan Goldstein said: “We are all here today because we have had enough of repeatedly witnessing and condemning instances of anti-Semitism in and around the Labour Party.”
A group of pro-Corbyn Jewish protesters held placards declaring “Jews for Jez” and “we support anti-racist” Corbyn. Mr Corbyn earlier wrote to the Council, saying: “I recognise that antiSemitism has surfaced within the Labour Party, and has too often been dismissed as simply a matter of a few bad apples.
“I am sincerely sorry for the pain which has been caused and pledge to… bring this anxiety to an end.”
JEREMY Corbyn’s apology for any antiSemitism in Labour and his desire for urgent meetings with Jewish leaders will hopefully lance a poisonous boil.
Demonstrations against and for the Labour leader outside Parliament last night show the deep divisions he is struggling to heal.
The rooting out of “pockets” of bigotry must be a priority in a movement that is committed to fairness and equality.
The Labour leader is not anti-Semitic. He has devoted his life to fighting prejudice, but he must agree that things have gone too far.
Only zero tolerance of anti-Semitism will be good enough now.