The Jewish Labour Movement has called on Labour to commit itself to root out antisemitism and ban the political wings of Hamas and Hezbollah..
A “mini-manifesto” published by the JLM today sets out a number of policies it wants included in Labour’s platform for next month’s general election.
The election comes “at a critical time” for the Jewish community, JLM’s chairman Jeremy Newmark and parliamentary chairman Luciana Berger say in their introduction.
“Antisemitism continues to grow; our communal charities and care providers are under enormous strain; and many of the religious freedoms enjoyed by our community are increasingly under attack.”
JLM says Labour should exclude hate preachers from the UK; work with community partners to “uncompromisingly root out antisemitism with a zero tolerance approach”; and to “fully proscribe” Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organisations.
A Labour government should act to “stem the growth of antisemitism and support for and glorification of terrorism and violence on university campuses”, it says.
The party should pledge to put government funding for security for Jewish schools and organisations on a “firmer footing” by arranging it on a five-year rather than annual cycle.
On the Middle East, it calls for a “fair and balanced” approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, based on support for a two-state solution, the promotion of strong bilateral ties with Israel and opposition to the boycott campaign.
Labour should support “inclusive and tolerant faith schools”, while ensuring that the inspection service Ofsted takes into account religious sensitivities of schools.
The party should also back more housing for those with large families.
The JLM document also outlines policies on climate change, small businesses and refugees among other issues.
