Corbyn treated to a rendition of Hava Nagila

IT could be categorised as a classic in the “English irony” genre. As Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn watched the annual Durham Miners’ Gala march from the balcony of the County Hotel last Saturday, amid the chants of ‘ohhh Jeremy Corbyn’, one brass band played the Israeli folk song the Hava Nagila – something of a tradition at the event, according to the Durham Miners’ Association. Had he recognised the tune, one can only wonder what the anti-Israel leader would have made of hearing one of Zionism’s greatest hits being played at his favourite jamboree.