20 Aug 2018
Labour risks turning its back on Scotland’s Jewish community for good unless leader Jeremy Corbyn uses his trip north to address the “clear” anti-Semitism in the party, it has been warned.
Mr Corbyn began his four-day tour in central Scotland today, days after former MP Jim Sheridan made an astonishing outburst on Twitter, in which he said he no longer sympathised with Jewish historical suffering, claiming it was all part of a “plot” to undermine Labour.
Now Mr Corbyn has been urged to finally put claims of anti-Semitism to bed, after months of “lack of leadership” on the issue.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said he could begin this process by accepting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.
Labour has yet to do this, despite both the UK and Scottish governments agreeing with the wording.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said:
“Instead of looking to themselves and their own actions, Labour figures around Jeremy Corbyn are now suggesting that criticism of him is all part of a plot to weaken his position.
“It’s not a plot. Instead, Mr Corbyn’s appalling lack of leadership on this matter, in the face of clear anti-Semitism within Labour’s ranks, is being called out.
“While he is in Scotland, Mr Corbyn should make it clear he is prepared to do what the UK Government and the Scottish Government has done – accept the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism now.
“A failure to do so will only confirm – as former Labour leader Jim Murphy has said – that Labour is turning its back on the Jewish community for good.”
Notes to editors:
Both the UK and Scottish governments have agreed the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism:
https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/working-definition-antisemitism
Labour has so far refused to do so:
https://www.thejc.com/comment/analysis/what-is-the-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism-and-why-has-labour-outraged-jews-by-rejecting-it-1.467511
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