Jeremy Corbyn accused of 'backtracking' over IHRA antisemitism definition

They also insisted they are working their own more extensive list of examples of antisemtism.

But after Tuesday’s meeting between the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council  and the Labour leader, Jewish leaders said that Mr Corbyn had rejected their call to adopt the IHRA definition in full.

Speaking to the JC on Wednesday, Jonathan Goldstein, chair of the JLC, described Mr Corbyn’s position on the issue as “a backtrack.”

He added: "Adopting it in full implies adopting the definition and examples - so that people understand what the words mean in the definition.

“The full definition has been adopted by the CPS, the police, 132 local authorities and the Scottish and Welsh governments.

“But they (Mr Corbyn and new General Secretary Jennie Formby) are not prepared to adopt the examples."

In a statement a Labour spokesperson said: “Labour agrees with the IHRA "working definition" of anti-Semitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.' ”

 

Read the letter in full below: