Labour’s ruling body adopts IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
NEC rejects Corbyn caveat allowing criticism of Israel — but adds own
The Labour party’s ruling committee finally accepted the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism on Tuesday. The national executive committee rejected a last-ditch attempt by leader Jeremy Corbyn to add a caveat allowing more leeway to criticise Israel — but added one of its own.
Britain’s main opposition party, which has been dogged by a long-running row with Jewish groups over the behaviour of some members, had in December 2016 accepted into its rule book the general definition of anti-Semitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
But this summer it emerged that the party was not prepared to adopt all of the IHRA’s 11 examples of such behaviour, on the basis that some could limit criticism of Israel.
That drew the ire of many of Britain’s leading rabbis and some of its own prominent MPs.
The party’s NEC on Tuesday confirmed that it had accepted the IHRA definition in full, along with all 11 examples, after hours of debate. But it added a caveat: “this does not in any way undermine the freedom of expression on Israel and the rights of Palestinians”.
According to attendees, an “informal” attempt Mr Corbyn to inject his own, stronger caveat was rejected.
The Labour leader had wanted to include a statement that said: “It should not be considered anti-Semitic to describe, Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist because of their discriminatory impact.”
This would have contradicted one of the IHRA’s examples, which states it is anti-Semitic to be “claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavour”.
The Labour leader was over-ruled by various members including union officials and Rhea Wolfson, a Jewish member of the Momentum pro-Corbyn group.
James Cleverly, deputy chair of the Conservative party, said Mr Corbyn’s caveat showed that “he isn’t the solution to Labour’s anti-Semitism problem, he’s part of it”.
A Labour official said Mr Corbyn spoke to the NEC of the “deep concern and pain” across the party over the loss of confidence among Jewish communities, and said the committee’s adoption of the full IHRA text and examples was part of the process of “rebuilding trust and as an act of solidarity with Jewish communities”.
But the NEC’s decision to add its own caveat was criticised by Jewish groups and party members.
“There can be no caveats, no conditions and no compromises with racism,” said a statement by Labour Against Antisemitism. “We are disappointed by the decision of Labour’s governing body, the NEC, to diminish the IHRA Working Definition of anti-Semitism via the attachment of a “clarification” that risks giving racists in the party a get out of jail card.
Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP who this summer accused Mr Corbyn of being an anti-Semite tweeted: “Two steps forward and one step back. Why dilute the welcome adoption IN FULL of the #IHRA definition of #anti-Semitism with an unnecessary qualification?”
The NEC’s acceptance all 11 IHRA examples also prompted cries of betrayal from some of Mr Corbyn’s most passionate backers. Some suggested that the decision should be re-examined after party conference later this month when the NEC’s make-up will have shifted in favour of the leadership.
The wording of Labour’s final statement appeared to concede that the anti-Semitism row is far from over: “We re-invite organisations to engage in consultation on the code of conduct.”
The controversy has frustrated some senior party loyalists who have backed Mr Corbyn but watched in despair as the party has struggled to shake off accusations of anti-Semitism. They included John McDonnell, shadow chancellor, Len McCluskey, leader of Unite the Union and Emily Thornberry, shadow foreign secretary.
A total of 31 countries have adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, as well as more than 130 UK local councils, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the judiciary.
The NEC meeting came as a leaked internal Labour dossier obtained by radio station LBC detailed 45 cases of alleged anti-Semitism.
Among them were messages posted by party members on social media, including one which read: “We shall rid the Jews who are a cancer on us all.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the allegations would be fully investigated.