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| General election 2019: Chief Rabbi attacks Labour anti-Semitism record | General election 2019: Chief Rabbi attacks Labour anti-Semitism record |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The Chief Rabbi has strongly criticised Labour, claiming the party is not doing enough to root out anti-Jewish racism - and asked people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election. | The Chief Rabbi has strongly criticised Labour, claiming the party is not doing enough to root out anti-Jewish racism - and asked people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election. |
| In the Times, Ephraim Mirvis said "a new poison - sanctioned from the very top - has taken root" in the party. | In the Times, Ephraim Mirvis said "a new poison - sanctioned from the very top - has taken root" in the party. |
| Labour's claim it had investigated all cases of anti-Semitism in its ranks was a "mendacious fiction", he added. | Labour's claim it had investigated all cases of anti-Semitism in its ranks was a "mendacious fiction", he added. |
| Jeremy Corbyn says Labour is tackling anti-Semitism by expelling members. | Jeremy Corbyn says Labour is tackling anti-Semitism by expelling members. |
| It comes as Labour launches a "race and faith manifesto", which aims to improve protections for all faiths and tackle prejudice. | It comes as Labour launches a "race and faith manifesto", which aims to improve protections for all faiths and tackle prejudice. |
| 'Gripped by anxiety' | |
| In the article, the Orthodox Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - who is the spiritual leader of the United Synagogue, the largest umbrella group of Jewish communities in the country - says raising his concerns "ranks among the most painful moments I have experienced since taking office". | |
| But he claims "the overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in 12 December's general election. | But he claims "the overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in 12 December's general election. |
| He writes: "The way in which the leadership of the Labour Party has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people. | He writes: "The way in which the leadership of the Labour Party has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people. |
| "It has left many decent Labour members and parliamentarians, both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired." | "It has left many decent Labour members and parliamentarians, both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired." |
| He adds that it was "not my place to tell any person how they should vote" but he urged the public to "vote with their conscience". | He adds that it was "not my place to tell any person how they should vote" but he urged the public to "vote with their conscience". |
| The Chief Rabbi - who has been a persistent critic of Labour's response to anti-Semitism allegations - claims the response of Labour's leadership to threats against parliamentarians, members and staff has been "utterly inadequate" and says it "can no longer claim to be the party of equality and anti-racism". | |
| 'Horrified' | |
| Jenny Manson, the co-chair of the Jewish Voice for Labour group which is not officially affiliated to the party, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight programme she was "horrified" by the Chief Rabbi's intervention. | |
| She added that there was no threat to Jews in the Labour Party but there was a threat from the far-right. | |
| Mike Katz, the chair of the Jewish Labour Movement group which is officially affiliated to the party, told the programme the Chief Rabbi was "absolutely right" and there had been a failure of leadership over anti-Semitism in Labour. | |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By BBC Religion Editor Martin Bashir | By BBC Religion Editor Martin Bashir |
| This is a sweeping and unequivocal condemnation of Labour's leadership, its treatment of Jewish parliamentarians and its handling of allegations of anti-Semitism. | This is a sweeping and unequivocal condemnation of Labour's leadership, its treatment of Jewish parliamentarians and its handling of allegations of anti-Semitism. |
| It's also highly unusual for such an intervention by the leader of a religious denomination during a general election campaign. The Chief Rabbi has pastoral oversight of half the population of those who identify as Jewish in the United Kingdom. | It's also highly unusual for such an intervention by the leader of a religious denomination during a general election campaign. The Chief Rabbi has pastoral oversight of half the population of those who identify as Jewish in the United Kingdom. |
| Last week, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York appealed to voters and politicians to "honour the truth" and "challenge falsehoods" but there was no specific criticism of individual candidates nor their party leaders. | Last week, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York appealed to voters and politicians to "honour the truth" and "challenge falsehoods" but there was no specific criticism of individual candidates nor their party leaders. |
| But the Chief Rabbi's article asks if Jeremy Corbyn is fit for high office and calls on voters to consider what the result of this election "will say about the moral compass of this country?" | But the Chief Rabbi's article asks if Jeremy Corbyn is fit for high office and calls on voters to consider what the result of this election "will say about the moral compass of this country?" |
| Last year, three Jewish newspapers, - The Jewish Chronicle, The Jewish News and The Jewish Telegraph - published exactly the same front cover on 25 July - arguing that a Labour government under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn would prove "an existential threat" to British Jewry. | Last year, three Jewish newspapers, - The Jewish Chronicle, The Jewish News and The Jewish Telegraph - published exactly the same front cover on 25 July - arguing that a Labour government under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn would prove "an existential threat" to British Jewry. |
| The Chief Rabbi, in this highly critical column, is saying much the same. | The Chief Rabbi, in this highly critical column, is saying much the same. |
| The Labour leader faced criticism from Jewish groups when he said in last week's general election ITV leader's debate that the party had "investigated every single case" raised by complainants. | The Labour leader faced criticism from Jewish groups when he said in last week's general election ITV leader's debate that the party had "investigated every single case" raised by complainants. |
| The Chief Rabbi takes issue with Mr Corbyn's claim, citing figures from the Jewish Labour Movement of "at least 130 outstanding cases". | The Chief Rabbi takes issue with Mr Corbyn's claim, citing figures from the Jewish Labour Movement of "at least 130 outstanding cases". |
| Labour said: "The 130 figure is inaccurate and it is categorically untrue to suggest there are thousands of outstanding cases. | Labour said: "The 130 figure is inaccurate and it is categorically untrue to suggest there are thousands of outstanding cases. |
| "We are taking robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party, with swift suspensions, processes for rapid expulsions and an education programme for members." | "We are taking robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party, with swift suspensions, processes for rapid expulsions and an education programme for members." |
| On the Chief Rabbi's other points, a spokesman said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong campaigner against anti-Semitism and has made absolutely clear it has no place in our party and society, and that no-one who engages in it does so in his name. | On the Chief Rabbi's other points, a spokesman said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong campaigner against anti-Semitism and has made absolutely clear it has no place in our party and society, and that no-one who engages in it does so in his name. |
| "A Labour government will guarantee the security of the Jewish community, defend and support the Jewish way of life, and combat rising anti-Semitism in our country and across Europe. | "A Labour government will guarantee the security of the Jewish community, defend and support the Jewish way of life, and combat rising anti-Semitism in our country and across Europe. |
| "Our race and faith manifesto, launched Tuesday, sets out our policies to achieve this." | "Our race and faith manifesto, launched Tuesday, sets out our policies to achieve this." |
| He added: "Anti-Semitism complaints account for about 0.1% of the Labour Party membership, while polls show anti-Semitism is more prevalent among Conservative than Labour supporters." | He added: "Anti-Semitism complaints account for about 0.1% of the Labour Party membership, while polls show anti-Semitism is more prevalent among Conservative than Labour supporters." |
| Anti-Semitism online | Anti-Semitism online |
| Proposed measures in Labour's "race and faith manifesto" include: | Proposed measures in Labour's "race and faith manifesto" include: |
| Speaking ahead of the policy launch, Mr Corbyn said: "In government, Labour will do everything necessary to guarantee the security of the Jewish community, defend the Jewish way of life and the right to live it freely, and to combat rising anti-Semitism in our country and across Europe. | Speaking ahead of the policy launch, Mr Corbyn said: "In government, Labour will do everything necessary to guarantee the security of the Jewish community, defend the Jewish way of life and the right to live it freely, and to combat rising anti-Semitism in our country and across Europe. |
| "We will protect the rights of Jewish people to practise their religion and ensure public services meet the needs of Jewish people, from coroners services conducting quick burials to proper provision of religious and culturally sensitive social care and youth services." |