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Labour antisemitism caused by ‘unwillingness’ to separate religion from politics, says Alastair Campbell

The former Downing Street press secretary spoke to the JC before addressing a communal charity dinner this week

November 1, 2017 16:55
Alastair Campbell speaking to the JC's Ben Weich (Yakir Zur Photography)
1 min read

Alastair Campbell believes the Labour Party’s problems with antisemitism may be down to “an unwillingness in some quarters” to separate Judaism from the policies of the Israeli government.

Mr Campbell, the Downing Street press secretary under Tony Blair, did not attribute this to the party’s current leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Speaking to the JC before his address at the annual fundraising dinner for communal mental health charity Jami, in which he spoke about his own battles with depression and alcoholism, Mr Campbell said: “I just don’t really understand why (antisemitism) exists.

“People can say to me ‘oh, it’s about money’ or something – but I just don’t understand it on an intellectual level.