LONDON - British Jewish leaders on Wednesday addressed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s response and apology regarding the community’s strong concerns over recurring anti-Semitism within the party . “For whatever reasons, you have not, until now, seemed to grasp how strongly British Jews feel about the situation,” wrote the Jonathan Arkush, President of the British Board of Jewish Deputies (the UK affiliate of the World Jewish Congress), and Jonathan Goldstein, President of the Jewish Leadership Council. “Your letter was a welcome change in this regard, but only if it marks a new era of consistent and strong action and leadership to tackle the problem.”
The Labour leader had written a letter of apology recognizing that anti-Semitism had surfaced in the party. and pledging to “redouble” his efforts “to bring this anxiety to an end,” following a scathing open letter issued earlier by the Jewish community declaring “enough is enough”.
In their response Wednesday, the Jewish leaders wrote: “We are sure you saw the strength of feeling in the mainstream Jewish community that was expressed in our open letter and in Parliament Square on Monday. These were unprecedented steps on our part and we hope you understand the seriousness of such a communal action… Consequently, we appreciate your apology…. Any meeting between us must produce concrete, practical outcomes to be implemented by the Party; there is no point in meeting if the situation remains the same or continues to worsen.”
Click here to read the full letter by the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council
The letter went on to propose an agenda of actions for discussion, including Labour leadership and responsibility, disciplinary cases, relations with suspended members, education, engagement, and process.
“Those Labour Party members and Labour-supporting blogs pushing the abuse are largely doing so in your name. They need to hear you say, publicly and in your own voice, that we had every right to protest about antisemitism, and that Labour MPs had every right to support us; that our concerns about antisemitism are sincere and not a “smear” as has been widely alleged (including on your own Facebook page); and that anyone directing abuse, intimidation or threats at those of us who oppose antisemitism is damaging your efforts to eliminate it and to start rebuilding trust,” the letter concluded. “We firmly believe that this must happen urgently, and certainly before we meet,” We hope this can be the start of a process of constructive anti-racist work in the Labour Party, one that will help to rebuild the relationship between the Party and the Jewish community. The Party and the Jewish community deserve nothing less.”
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder came out in support of the British Jewish community ahead of its open letter on Monday, declaring in a statement:WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: “We are appalled by the failure of Labour’s leadership to get a grip on the issue of anti-Semitism within the party. In a country where the Jewish community has long been so well integrated into public life, including in Labour Party politics, it is deeply disconcerting to see examples of rabid anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism time and time again, with seemingly little consequence for the prepatrators. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our British colleagues as they call for a zero-tolerance approach which is matched by actions and not just words. We simply ask Jeremy Corbyn to end his support of anti-Semites.”
