May attacks Labour over anti-Semites in the ranks
THERESA May will today take a swipe at Labour over its abject failure to clamp down on anti-Semitism in its ranks. The Prime Minister will announce that, under her Government, Britain will become one of the first countries to adopt a new international definition of anti-Semitism.
The move will make it easier to fight the hatred of Jews by ensuring culprits cannot get away with being anti-Semitic just because the term is ill-defined.
In an apparent dig at Jeremy Corbyn, she will say: ‘Anti-Semitism should have no place in politics and no place in this country.
‘And I am proud to lead a party that takes the firmest stand against it.’
Labour was condemned earlier this year after senior figures – including former London mayor Ken Livingstone – were accused of spouting anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Mr Corbyn commissioned civil
‘We are making a real difference’
liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti to write a report about the party’s problem with it – but the result was dismissed as a ‘whitewash’ by Jewish groups.
She was later nominated for a peerage by the Labour leader – and now sits in the Shadow Cabinet.
MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee slammed the report for not even defining what anti-Semitism was – meaning it would be easier for Labour members to wriggle out of claims they had been offensive.
Mrs May will today reveal that the UK is formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism.
Speaking in London, she will say: ‘Israel guarantees the rights of people of all religions, races and sexualities – and it wants to enable everyone to flourish.
‘Our aim in Britain is the same: to create a better, fairer society, helping everyone to reach as far as their talents will allow.
‘It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.
‘As a Government we are making a real difference and adopting this measure is a groundbreaking step.
‘It means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism – in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews – and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it.’
Britain will be one of the first countries to adopt the definition, agreed by the IHRA, an intergovernmental body made up of 31 member countries, in May.
It states: ‘Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
‘Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or nonJewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.’
The UK Government has been at the forefront of establishing the agreed definition and will continue to promote its adoption across the world.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘Anti-Semitism must be understood for what it is – an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society. There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice.
‘Crimes must always be reported and the law enforced, but we also want to create an environment that prevents hate crime happening in the first place.’
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: ‘Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party share the view that language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews is anti-Semitism, and is as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism.
‘Jeremy has consistently spoken out against all forms of antiSemitism and condemned all anti-Semitic abuse.’
Home Secretary Amber Rudd will today announce a violent neo-Nazi group will be declared a terrorist group and banned under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The organisation, National Action, will be added to the list of ‘proscribed organisations’. In recent weeks, it has lauded the murder of Jo Cox and attempted to assert control over territory in Liverpool and Newbury.