Adopt the code

What does the Labour leadership have to lose by adoption into its constitution the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism (your report, 30 July)?

Since few people might ever have read these words, they are worth quoting: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations are directed towards Jewish or non-jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

It goes on to list a number of examples, but embracing the definition ought not to eschew civilised debate about the Israelipalestine situation.

As is often the case, it is the tone of debate and not the actual words used that might cause offence. It is surely legitimate to question the actions of Mossad, the Israeli intelligenceservice,alongwithother intelligence services throughout the world, without mentioning any supposed characteristics of Jewish people.

It is surely legitimate to question Israeli policy towards development in the Palestinian lands – along with other intrusions throughout the world – without making offensive references to the supposed characteristics of Jewish people.

I doubt whether Labour’s adoption of the IHRA definition would make any difference to the central challenge:

how to make criticism of the policy of any state without resort to anti-semitic, antiislam, anti-christian or antibuddhist rhetoric.

This is a cultural matter within Labour, one that can only be resolved though education and adherence to protocol. Leader Jeremy Corbyn need make no apology for his own record on race and community relations over the decades. But he could enhance it by adoption of the IHRA code as soon as possible.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes