Skip to main content

Labour MPs vote on binding antisemitism rules as Jeremy Corbyn faces backlash over free speech clause

Proposed and seconded by Jewish Labour MPs, the vote may see the IHRA's antisemitism definition and examples all adopted.

Jeremy Corbyn doorstepped on 05/09
Image: Jeremy Corbyn faces a backlash over his proposed statement
Labour MPs are set to vote on binding the international definition of antisemitism closer to the party, amid a backlash against party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
They will be balloted on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition and 11 examples of antisemitism in full.
It comes after Labour's ruling body approved the change to its code of conduct, to help investigate, suspend and expel members accused of discriminating against Jewish people.
Mr Corbyn faced the wrath of some groups for trying to add a statement saying it is not anti-Semitic to "describe Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist".
Activists outside a meeting of the Labour National Executive Committee in London
Image: Labour's NEC voted to adopt the IHRA definition and examples in full
Instead, a "free speech" clause was added to the code to ensure it "will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians".
The vote by Labour MPs was called weeks before, and if passed would strengthen the party's stance against claims it is failing to tackle antisemitism.
Despite the move to end an issue that has dogged Labour all summer, Mr Corbyn's statement sparked anger from some.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Labour MP Margaret Hodge arrives to attend a press conference held by former shadow business secretary Angela Eagle in which Eagle announced her intention to challenge Jeremy Corbyn for leadership pf the Labour Party, on July 11, 2016 in London, England. Mr Corbyn has faced numerous frontbench resignations, but has said he would not betray the party members, who elected him last year, by standing down. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Image: Dame Margaret Hodge accused Jeremy Corbyn of making an 'unnecessary qualification'
The Labour Against Antisemitism campaign said it "appeared to be about protecting the freedom of racists to present vile views".
Dame Margaret Hodge added change's to Labour's code amounted to "two steps forward, one step back", asking: "Why dilute the welcome adoption in full of the IHRA definition of antisemitism with an unnecessary qualification?"
After Mr Corbyn's statement was withdrawn, a source told Sky News: "Team JC climbed down completely. The statement he proposed got completely scrapped."
Baroness Chakrabarti, Labour's shadow attorney general and the author of a 2016 report on antisemitism, said the statement was "only an exposition of the IHRA definition and examples themselves".
Shami Chakrabarti
Image: Shami Chakrabarti said the Labour leader was offering 'reassurance'
She said: "There are great supporters of the Israeli state, there are leading Jewish commentators who have been trying to say to us as a Labour party for months that you can except this definition and all of its examples and still be a vociferous critic of Israel.
"Jeremy was just making that reassurance around the table."

Comments

TRENDING

Turkish heiress Mina Basaran killed in plane crash after hen weekend

How To Cook Spaghetti and Chicken Meatball Soup

Reasons why you should watch the premiere 'How I Met Your Father'

How to Survive and Thrive in Nigeria’s Heat Waves

Gigi Hadid and Tyler Cameron Are Already Couple-Dressing on Their Fourth Date

Philippine National Dish Chicken Adobo

Sticky Coconut Chicken and Rice Secret Recipes

How can I prepare Kimchi Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Popular posts from this blog

Turkish heiress Mina Basaran killed in plane crash after hen weekend

New post Turkish heiress Mina Basaran killed in plane crash after hen weekend Image: Mina Basaran with her hens in UAE A Turkish heiress and bride-to-be has been killed in a plane crash alongside her friends as they returned from her bachelorette weekend. Mina Basaran, 28,  died on board a private jet after it crashed  into a remote part of Iran's Zagros mountains on Sunday evening. She is the daughter of Huseyin Basaran, the chairman of Turkey's Basaran Investment Holding, and is understood to have been in line to succeed her father. Image: Mina Basaran posing by the plane in a jacket for the hen weekend Ms Basaran was on the board of the company, after graduating from Koc University in Istanbul and continuing her studies at a business school. According to her social media, she was the owner of a Ramada resort in Turkey and a yacht firm. Ms Basaran was engaged to Murat Gezer and was due to marry next month at the Ciragan Saray, an Ottoman-er...

How To Cook Spaghetti and Chicken Meatball Soup

Spaghetti and Chicken Meatball Soup Yield: 4 servings Time: 30 minutes Tomato soup meets spaghetti and meatballs in this one-pot, 30-minute crowd-pleaser. To keep chicken meatballs juicy and light, skip the bread crumbs (which can create dense or bland meatballs) and the browning (which can cause precious juices to evaporate). Instead, plop them into the simmering soup to cook through. Any juices they do release will be captured in the tomato soup, which is creamy from olive oil and Parmesan. Feel free to adapt this recipe to suit your preferences: Add chopped onion, crushed fennel seeds, dried oregano or chopped parsley or basil to the meat or the sauce. The pasta will absorb the soup as it sits, so it’s a dish best eaten right when it’s made INGREDIENTS     1   pound ground chicken or turkey 1   cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving 8   garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 1   large egg   Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) ¼   cup extra-virgin...

Reasons why you should watch the premiere 'How I Met Your Father'

'How I Met Your Father'  I went through glad years watching that show, adored quite a bit of how it managed its capable cast, and don't trust in lamenting that time on the grounds that the beguiling reason of its pilot (now and again the individual who is by all accounts your heartfelt perfect partner isn't, however they might in any case be unimaginably unique to you) was double-crossed by its consummation (psych! She really is his heartfelt perfect partner LOL ha). Quite a bit of that show's prosperity lay in what you may very well call its home base energies. Like Living Single and Friends and different sitcoms, it put a lot of individuals - Ted (Josh Radnor), Robin (Cobie Smulders), Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan), and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) - in a lot of rooms doing a lot of odd things, and it looked as they unfurled. Simultaneously, the satire of HIMYM was elevated and somewhat incredible. It's not too known for its hooky, jokey ide...

How to Survive and Thrive in Nigeria’s Heat Waves

Nigeria is no stranger to heat waves, especially during the dry season. But did you know that these periods of extreme heat can affect not only your health, but also your economy and infrastructure? When the temperature rises above 40°C, it can be hard to keep cool and hydrated. This can cause serious health problems, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. These can be life-threatening, especially for children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases. Heat waves can also damage your infrastructure, such as power grids, roads, and buildings. When everyone uses more air conditioning and cooling systems, the power demand goes up. This can lead to blackouts and brownouts, which can disrupt your businesses and services. It can also increase your costs, as you have to pay more for electricity and maintenance. So how can you cope with heat waves and reduce their impact? Here are some tips: Stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m...