Shadow ministers challenge Corbyn over anti-semitism

JEREMY CORBYN is facing an open rebellion from members of his shadow cabinet over his refusal to accept the international definition of anti-semitism.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, has warned Mr Corbyn that disciplining Dame Margaret Hodge for calling him anti-semitic is “counter-productive”.

Mr Watson is pushing Mr Corbyn to accept the full definition of anti-semitism in the party’s code of conduct along with three other members of the shadow cabinet after a furious backlash from Labour MPS.

It came after The Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Telegraph and Jewish News ran the same leader on their front pages for the first time, expressing “communal anger and concern” over anti-semitism in the Labour Party.

All three newspapers used the headline “United we stand.” A friend of Mr Watson made clear he shares the concerns of the Jewish community: “It is for the Jewish community to judge if our structures and standards are good enough.”

Tensions have been exacerbated by Labour’s decision to launch an inquiry into Dame Margaret, who called Mr Corbyn an anti-semite in front of his colleagues.

She has been threatened with suspension from the party if she repeats the claims.

The row blew up over the decision by the national executive committee, Labour’s ruling body, to reject an internationally recognised definition of anti-semitism in favour of its own.

Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, told ITV’S Good Morning Britain: “It seems obvious to me that we do need to rebuild trust with the Jewish community, and the place to start is by accepting a definition which is broadly accepted internationally.”

Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, told Jewish News that he believes the Labour party should have adopted the full international guidelines.

A Labour spokesman said that the party is “fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community”.

He raised concerns that “examples” used in the international definition of anti-semitism could be used to deny Palestinians “their rights and freedoms to describe the discrimination and injustices they face”.