Labor Frontbencher urges the party to adopt the code of anti-Semitism | Policy



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A shadow cabinet member called Labor to adopt an internationally recognized definition of anti-Semitism after a joint editorial in three prominent Jewish newspapers declared that a government led by Jeremy Corbyn would be an "existential threat" to Jewish life in the UK. Jonathan Ashworth, secretary for health in the shadow, said he was "very depressed" by the editorials on the front page of the Jewish Chronicle, Jewish News and Jewish Telegraph, condemning the decision on the Labor Code of Conduct. "

" It's really serious for us as a party, because if we have the Jewish community angry and feel we're not defending them anymore, even if on many other subjects we probably share the same values, so clearly as a party that aspires to govern the country on behalf of everyone, then we have to respond to it, "Ashworth told ITV's Good Morning Britain.

The common editorial stated that Labor was until recently the natural focus of the Jewish community, but that Labor had "seen its values ​​and integrity eroded by the contempt of the Corbins and Jews". 19659002] Newspapers said: "The stain and shame of anti-Semitism have been running through Her Majesty's opposition since Jeremy Corbyn became leader in 2015." They produced the common editorial "because of the existential threat in this country that would be posed by a government headed by Jeremy Corbyn."

He added: "With the government in Brexit's dismay, there is has a clear and present danger that a man with a blindness defaults to the fears of the Jewish community, a man who has a problem The hateful rhetoric aimed at Israel can easily get into anti-Semitism, could be our next prime Minister. "

Concerns rose in the middle of Labor's National Executive Committee (NEC) denial of access to the full text of the working definition of anti-Semitism produced by the International Alliance of the Holocaust Remembrance (IHRA). The document provides a definition and 11 examples. The first is accepted by the Labor Party, but not all others.

Ashworth stated that CEN should "think carefully about what these newspapers tell us and think carefully about what the Jewish community is telling us".

said: "This international definition, which our democratically elected members do not think is strong enough or appropriate, I think they need to reconsider, it seems obvious to me that we need to rebuild trust with the Jewish community. , and the starting point is to accept a definition that is widely accepted internationally. "

Ashworth said:" It was a deeply sad day that these newspapers feel that they had to go out and talk in such strong terms. " He added, "I am very depressed by what I saw."

Ashworth's comments put more pressure on Corbyn and his team. In the midst of growing anger, a confrontation over the issue was averted on Monday when Labor MPs' vote on adopting the full definition of the IHRA was postponed until September. NEC decision. When asked about the code of conduct on Tuesday, Corbyn said the party "continued to consult and discuss with the Jewish community and Jewish organizations to make sure it works in the best possible way."

Responding to joint editorials on Wednesday evening, A Labor Party spokesman said that such a government posed "no threat of any kind to the Jewish people" and that their safety was a priority. "19659002" We understand the strong concerns raised in the Jewish community and seek to collaborate with communal organizations. to build trust and confidence in our party. We know that there is a lot of work to be done.

Labor stated that its Code of Conduct "broadens and contextualizes its examples to produce robust and legally valid guidelines that a political party can apply to disciplinary matters".

The Labor Party's NEC opposes the example that defines "the badertion that the existence of a state of Israel is a business" racist "as anti-Semitism. The party said it was concerned about creating a code that could be "used to deny Palestinians, including Palestinian citizens of Israel and their supporters, their rights and freedoms to describe the discrimination and injustices they encounter in the language they deem appropriate. " Labor Ian Austin tweeted that the newspaper movement was unprecedented and all party members should be ashamed.

Simon Johnson, the executive director of the Jewish Leadership Council, said: "It's something quite right." First, a letter from 68 rabbis of all shades of color. Now, the three major community newspapers are coming together. "

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