The level of antisemitism on the political left is consistent with the general population, a major new study has revealed.
But those considering themselves to be most left-wing are shown by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research report to hold the strongest anti-Israel attitudes.
Nearly half of people holding anti-Israel views across the political spectrum were revealed in the survey to also believe Jews exploit Holocaust victimhood.
Speaking at Tuesday night’s launch of the JPR survey, Dave Rich, Community Security Trust deputy director of communications, said the findings on left-wing antisemitism emerged after "prominent figures in Labour and Momentum repeatedly abused the memory of the Holocaust in pursuit of anti-Israel politics”.
Dr Rich said the poll findings – which are backed by CST – shattered the claim by some that antisemitism did not exist in Labour because it was an "anti-racist safe space”.
He added: "The report shows levels of antisemitism on the left are the same as those for society as a whole.
"The defence we have heard from some in the Labour Party that because the left is an anti-racist space therefore by definition there can't be antisemitism - that's just not true.
"It is as easy to find there are is it anywhere else.
"And when Jewish members complain they have heard antisemitic comments they are not making it up - it's true.
"The stronger your anti-Israel views, the more likely you are to also hold antisemitic views. "
In the 80-page report, author and JPR research fellow Dr Daniel Staetsky concludes: “One might assume those on the far-left of the political spectrum would be more likely to hold anti-racist ideas than the population as a whole, but we did not find this to be the case with respect to antisemitism."
The report revealed those on the far-right combine a "relatively high level of antisemitic attitudes with a relatively high level of anti-Israel attitudes."
It suggests this "unusual combination" is unique on the political map in the UK.
Speaking for the Department for Communities and Local Government, Sally Sealey, lead official on tackling hate crime, said the report showed the need for "better understanding of how anti-Israel attitudes impact on the Jewish community”.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, the Minister for Faith, and Stephen Moss, the JPR chairman, were among those to speak at the survey launch at ORT House, Camden, north London.
Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush and Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Simon Johnson were among those to attend the packed event.
