Khan tells deputies of his ‘pain’ over antisemitism
SADIQ KHAN has vowed to ensure that Labour “rebuilds its relationship with the Jewish community”.
The London Mayor received a standing ovation for his address to Monday’s Board of Deputies’ dinner, during which he said that the breakdown in trust between British Jews and his party was “deeply disappointing…
“It pains me to my core when I hear that many Jewish people now feel that a party that would normally be their natural home doesn’t have their best interests at heart. And, even worse, that Labour looks reluctant to tackle antisemitism from within the party itself.
“It’s simply not good enough. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again tonight — the Labour Party has been far too slow to act,” he told the 450 guests at the West End venue.
“Labour should have adopted the full international definition of antisemitism right from the beginning, no ifs, no buts.
“I know there’s a long way to go to heal the mistrust and hurt that’s been caused. But the Labour leadership needs to make a concerted effort to rebuild the relationship with the Jewish community and my pledge to you is that I will use my influence within the Labour party to ensure this happens.”
The Mayor and Marie van der Zyl, the Board president, both paid tribute to victims of the “horrific far-right attack in Pittsburgh”. Mrs van der Zyl thanked Mr Khan and the many oth- ers who had shown up on short notice to attend the Board’s vigil for the victims last week.
In her speech, Mrs van der Zyl outlined the Board’s activities over the past year, saying that, on issues ranging from antisemitism within the Labour Party to Ofsted’s clashes with Charedi schools, “it has never been more important to have a strong Board of Deputies leading the fight for our community”.
Citing Jeremy Corbyn’s “tolerance of antisemitism”, she said she had a message for the Labour leader:
“Enough of your tolerance for hatred against our community; kick out the racists from your party, disown your friendships with terrorists and Holocaust deniers. Mr Corbyn — enough is enough”.
A number of Labour MPs were among the guests, as was Iraqi Ambassador Dr Salih Husain Ali, at what was believed to be his first Jewish communal event.
Mrs van der Zyl also paid tribute to Jo Wagerman, the first female president of the Board of Deputies, who died recently, calling her “a trailblazer. As the second woman to hold this office, I feel a particular debt of gratitude to her.”
Other speakers included Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, who said she was “proud to protect the UK’s Jewish community”.
The Labour Party has been far too slow to act’