BIG READ: Momentum and campaign group clash over Labour’s anti-Semitism ‘crisis’

Widespread concerns have been raised from politicians and the public, as the anti-Semitism row continues to rock the party.

But Kenny Watson, chairman of Momentum Warrington, has defended under-fire Labour leader Mr Corbyn on the issue.

He said: "The Labour Party has long been the party of celebrating diversity and inclusivity in all its forms be it gender, racial, religious, sexual orientation or gender identification and, as such, we hold ourselves to a far higher standard than other political parties in terms of opposition to prejudice in all its forms.

"Part of the Labour Party's strength is through its embracing of diversity and this is particularly true of the Jewish people, who have been among the leading lights in Labour Party history.

"Anti-Semitism has no place in the Labour Party and the very few members who have expressed such views have been, and are being, dealt with.

"However, we do feel that it is no coincidence that this issue has been seized upon by mainstream media when Labour are riding high in the opinion polls.

"The same mainstream media has stayed relatively silent on much more obvious issues of racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in other parties, such as the Tories and UKIP.

"Jeremy Corbyn has long fought against all forms of racism and oppression and has been a leading exponent of our inclusive values.

"Momentum Warrington remain confident he will ensure any anti-Semitism is dealt with."

But it has drawn a strong response from campaign group Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS), which is not affiliated to the party.

Group spokesman Denny Taylor said: "Instead of just plainly condemning anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, Mr Watson claims that the issue has been 'seized upon by mainstream media' as a tool to attack the Labour Party.

"LAAS has many concerns over the wave of anti-Semitism that has engulfed our party – from the abuse of MPs, councillors and members, to the leader’s own chequered past on the issue.

"We are disappointed to see another Momentum group attempt to dismiss Labour's anti-Semitism crisis as smears, but not surprised.

"The Labour Party is in a state of crisis over anti-Semitism and it is right that the media should report that.

"Any attempt to deflect from the crisis by comparing Labour to other parties is simple whataboutery.

"Rather than being just a 'very few members', as Mr Watson claims, the reality is a Labour Party that has been engulfed by anti-Semitism.

"LAAS has reported over 1,200 suspected Labour members for anti-Semitism and has a backlog of 1,000 yet to be reported.

"Labour’s disciplinary system has reportedly been unable to cope with the number of cases and has had to bring in more resource, while Jeremy Corbyn has failed to meet his own commitment that all disciplinary cases would be cleared by the end of July.

"To suggest that Mr Corbyn has fought against all forms of racism is also a misrepresentation.

"During the course of his 35 year-long political career, the Labour leader has consistently been on the wrong side of history over anti-Semitism.

"The Labour Party needs to decide how it will deal with the institutional anti-Semitism that is threatening its integrity as a progressive political party.

"The British public is not racist and will not send a racist party into Government, nor will it elect the leader of a racist party as Prime Minister."

Mr Watson said Mr Taylor 'didn't give specific examples' of 'supposed' anti-Semitism in the party.

He added: "Much of the issues relate to free speech on Israel/Palestine and Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians, as well as actions by Palestinian terrorist organisations, but he has always been willing to meet both sides in the conflict to enable a peaceful resolution."

Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid says he 'wholly condemns racism in all its forms', adding that he is 'pleased to see Jeremy Corbyn taking a stand against anti-Semitism'.

Labour chiefs have also weighed in on the row.

A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a militant opponent of anti-Semitism and is determined to eradicate all forms of anti-Semitism from our party and wider society.

"The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.

"The number of cases over the past three years represents less than 0.1 per cent of Labour's membership of more than half a million people.

"Jeremy Corbyn and Jennie Formby, our new general secretary, have made it a priority to speed up and strengthen procedures for dealing with anti-Semitism cases and to develop a political education programme to foster deeper understanding of anti-Semitism among members."

A Labour Party source labelled the claims about Labour's processes by LAAS as 'completely untrue'.

They added: "The vast majority of complaints submitted to the party by LAAS are not about party members.

"Obviously, the party can only investigate its own members."

Furthermore, party sources have dismissed the statement over the ‘commitment’ that all disciplinary cases would be cleared by July.

They said when Mr Corbyn and Ms Formby met with the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust, they 'expressed their wish' for high profile cases to be dealt with by the end of July, adding that 'many have been'.

The Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) – a membership organisation of Labour which supports members of the Jewish community – has been a formal affiliate of the Labour Party in the UK since 1920.

The movement campaigns within the party and the wider community 'to support Labour values within the UK, Israel and internationally'.

It offers constituency Labour Party training on anti-Semitism explaining the 'threats' to the Jewish community, as well as how to 'engage' with the Jewish community.

The JLM is calling on the party to adopt the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

Richard Gold, education and membership officer at JLM North West, said 'every week there are more examples of anti-Semitism from Labour Party members'.

He added: "JLM members and the vast majority of the Jewish community feel very let down by the leadership, who have failed to adopt the IHRA definition on anti-Semitism.

"There is also frustration in the leadership's failure to consult with the Jewish community, as well as a frustration in the leadership failing to lead on action instead of empty promises and words.

"In constituencies with Jewish communities, the Labour Party, over the last few years, has lost many votes and this pattern is continuing.

"But it's not just Jewish people who are complaining about the problem of anti-Semitism and the leadership's failure to tackle it – we are also seeing, while canvassing, more concern from non-Jewish voters who also share this concern.

"Many people have also left the party.

"However, there are many members of the Labour Party who are very supportive of the Jewish community with regard to the problem of anti-Semitism in the party."