Home UK Former PM Gordon Brown says anti-Semitism is a stain on Labour

Former PM Gordon Brown says anti-Semitism is a stain on Labour

450
0

author image

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that anti-Semitism within Labour is a stain on the party.

He has also called for it to adopt the internationally agreed definition of anti-Semitism, in order to resolve a bitter row that has engulfed the party for months.

Jeremy Corbyn has come under prolonged attack for refusing to adopt fully the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in Labours new code of conduct.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks during the 'Jewish Labour Movement Conference' on September 2, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said says anti-Semitism is a stain on Labour (Picture: Getty)

He has also been accused of allowing anti-Semitism to spread in the left-wing party.

The Labour leadership has argued the definition, signed by 31 countries and used by many British institutions, does not allow for full criticism of Israels treatment of Palestinians.

Ahead of a meeting of its ruling executive committee on Tuesday, Brown – who was prime minister between June 2007 and May 2010 – said the issue touched at the soul of the Labour Party.

This is a problem that is real and present and something thats got to be dealt with now, he told a Jewish Labour Movement conference.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I want to say to you very clearly today that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is something we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 23: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photographs after delivering the "alternative MacTaggart" lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, on August 23, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ken Jack - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images,) BESTPIX

Jeremy Corbyn has come under prolonged attack for refusing to adopt fully the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism (Picture: Corbis)

He added that if Labour were to adopt the policy, it would be a stain removed from the party.

His comments came as Jewish leaders continue to vilify Corbyn over the controversy.

thumbnail for post ID 7906810Man who 'died for 12 seconds' says he owes his life to his decorator

Former chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks said Sunday the majority of Jews are questioning whether Britain is a safe place to bring up their children.

The crossbench peer insisted the Labour leader must recant and repent and that he risked engulfing the country in the flames of hatred.

Jews have been in Britain since 1656, I know of no other occasion in these 362 years when Jews… are asking is this country safe to bring up our children,he told the BBC.

DURHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers his speech during the 134th Durham Miners' Gala on July 14, 2018 in Durham, England. Over two decades after the last pit closed in the Durham coalfield the Miners Gala or Big Meeting as it is known locally remains as popular as ever with over 200,000 people expected to attend this year. The gala forms part of the culture and heritage of the area and represents the communal values of the North East of England. The gala sees traditional colliery brass bands march through the city ahead of their respective pit banners before pausing to play outside the County Hotel building where union leaders, invited guests and dignitaries gather before then continuing to the racecourse area for a day of entertainment and speeches. Beginning in 1871 the gala is the biggest trade union event in Europe and is part of an annual celebration of socialism. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

He has argued the definition, signed by 31 countries and used by many British institutions, does not allow for full criticism of Israels treatment of Palestinians (Picture: Getty)

Veteran Labour lawmaker Frank Field, who has sat in the House of Commons for almost 40 years, quit the partys group in parliament Thursday over the mounting anti-Semitism allegations.

In a letter to the party, he said that Corbyns leadership was overseeing an erosion of our core values.

Today, it was reported that a group of Labour MPs were plotting a vote of no confidence in response of his handling of the criticism.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Corbyn lost a previous no confidence vote in 2016, after two-thirds of his cabinet resigned post-Brexit vote.

He retained his leadership in a September contest.

Advertisement

Advertisement

[contf]
[contfnew]

METRO

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Previous articleMan who died for 12 seconds says he owes his life to his decorator
Next articleNazanin now has ‘big brother in playground’