#EnoughIsEnough: It is time to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labor Party

There was a small counter-demonstration on Monday night organized by controversial Jewish Voices for Labor. CST notes that the counter-demonstration attracted the likes of Gerry Downing, who previously claimed that the 9/11 perpetrators should not be condemned and openly discussed “the Jewish question” which he argued “needs to be solved”; Tony Greenstein, who was expelled from the party for abusive behavior, including anti-Semitism, and who is the co-chair of the Labor Against the Witch Hunt group; and Palestine Live Facebook group administrator Elleanne Green.

Corbyn replied to the Jewish community’s letter with an apology for “the pain which has been caused” by anti-Semitism in the Labor Party. He acknowledged that this was not “simply a matter of a few bad apples,” but is often linked to conspiracy theories about Jewish bankers and capitalists, or to extreme criticisms of Israel. He pledged to be a “militant opponent” of anti-Semitism and invited the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council to meet him. Their response was a letter setting out a proposed agenda and plan of action in order for any meeting to take place. This included the following points:

Leadership
The Labor Party leadership, and you personally, must be seen and heard to lead this work. Only your voice can persuade your followers that this a necessary and correct course of action. If actions need to be passed by the NEC (National Executive Committee) or other Party bodies, you need to take personal responsibility for ensuring this happens.

Anti-Semitism disciplinary cases
Outstanding and future cases to be brought to a swift conclusion under a fixed timescale. An independent mutually agreed ombudsman should be appointed to oversee performance, reporting to the Party and to the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council.

Relations with suspended members
MPs, councilors and other party members should not share platforms with people who have been suspended or expelled for anti-Semitism and CLPs (Constituency Labor Party) should not provide them with a platform. Anybody doing so should themselves be suspended from membership; in the case of MPs, they should lose the party whip.

Education
The Labor Party should circulate the IHRA (International Human Rights Administration) definition of anti-Semitism, with all its examples and clauses, to all members and branches. The Party should work with mainstream Jewish community organizations to develop and implement education about antisemitism. This should include a clear list of unacceptable language, such as the use of “Zio” and “Zionist” as terms of abuse, based on the full IHRA definition and on the examples included in your letter of 26 March.

Engagement
Public confirmation that the Party will seek to understand and engage with the Jewish community via its main representative groups, and not through fringe organizations who wish to obstruct the Party’s efforts to tackle antisemitism. 

Process
These changes must be sustained and enduring. There needs to be an agreed process to monitor the progress and implementation of these actions in the future.