Leader’s praise for Palestine

JEREMY CORBYN made no reference to the anti-semitism row which has engulfed the Labour conference this week – but made a pointed reference in his keynote speech to the “oppression” of Palestine.

The row erupted on Monday when activists at a fringe meeting called for the Jewish Labour Movement and Labour Friends of Israel to be “kicked out” of the party.

However, in his speech Mr Corbyn ignored the controversy and instead praised the Palestinian people and their struggle against Israel. He told 4,000 activists: “Let’s give real support to end the oppression of the Palestinian people, the 50-year occupation and illegal settlement expansion and move to a genuine two-state solution of the Israel-palestine conflict.” Damian Green, Theresa May’s effective deputy in the Government, criticised the omission, saying: “He won’t call out or even mention claims of anti-semitism within his party – highlighting just how divided Labour are.”

That came after Mr Corbyn was accused of “disappointing” the Jewish community by snubbing a reception thrown by Labour Friends of Israel – but living it up at party thrown by a Labour-supporting tabloid newspaper.

Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, told guests including Mark Regev, the Israeli ambassador, that Mr Corbyn had not come as he had to prepare for his conference speech.

However Mr Corbyn was spotted at a party thrown by the Daily Mirror just 200 yards away. Jennifer Gerber, the director of Labour Friends of Israel, said it was “disappointing” that he could not find the time to attend.