Board of Deputies' pledges for 'healing' relationship with Labour prompts far-left backlash

The motion said: "The Board has been consistent in its support for the Conservative Part, fulsomely welcoming the election of Boris Johnson...

"This branch particuarly notes that the pledges breach free speech and human rights and do not include all forms of racism."

The JC contacted Ilford South MP Sam Tarry for comment on the motion, which was passed by around 30 members of his local party.

An article on the website Mondoweiss written by Jonathan Ofir accused the Board of "weaponising the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working-definition of antisemitism" and seeking to make the "Zionist Jewish Labour Movement" an "exclusive trainer" while excluding the "progressive" Jewish Voice For Labour - a fringe, pro-Corbyn group - from the party.

The article accused the Board of "a cynical usage of ‘antisemitism’ in order to eradicate Palestine solidarity and to make the party more centrist and more Zionist."

The JC has also learned of a discussion involving members of Brent Central Labour Party in which one member labelled the left-wing leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey a "Zionist wh**e".

All five Labour leadership candidates - Ms Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips, Emily Thornberry and Sir Keir Starmer - have pledged to back the Board's key proposals in the race to replace Mr Corbyn.

But there has been some criticism from within the community that the Board's pledges make it too easy for candidates to appear to be acting over antisemitism.

Actress and campaigner Tracy-Ann Oberman wrote: "I've now re-read these pledges .... look pretty weak to me. Does anyone agree? Seem to be making it too easy for the candidates.

"Why would a community do that?"