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Labour slammed for appointing 'Jewish community liaison' who defended Chris Williamson

The JLC said it would not engage with Labour's new hire, who has defended JVL members and opposed the IHRA definition of antisemitism

July 18, 2019 11:18
Jeremy Corbyn
DURHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers his speech during the 135th Durham Miners Gala on July 13, 2019 in Durham, England. Over two decades after the last pit closed in the Durham coalfield the Miners Gala or Big Meeting as it is known locally remains as popular as ever with close to 200,000 people expected to attend this year. The gala forms part of the culture and heritage of the area and represents the communal values of the North East of England. The gala sees traditional colliery brass bands march through the city ahead of their respective pit banners before pausing to play outside the County Hotel building where union leaders, invited guests and dignitaries gather before they then continue to the racecourse area for a day of entertainment and speeches. Beginning in 1871 the gala is the biggest trade union event in Europe and is part of an annual celebration of socialism. This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the Durham Miners’ Association. The gala is hosted by the DMA who also provide a range of services for its members, made up from former Durham miners, including compensation claims, benefit information, tribunal representation and legal advice. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
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Jewish groups have expressed outrage that Labour has appointed an activist who defended suspended MP Chris Williamson and opposed the international definition of antisemitism as a liaison to the Jewish community.

Heather Mendick is expected to take on the task of rebuilding relations with the Jewish community, whose confidence in the party has taken repeated knocks during Labour's antisemitism crisis.

But the appointment was quickly condemned as “beyond parody” by the Jewish Leadership Council, which noted she will be doing the task one day a week for the party.

A JLC spokesperson said: “From her dismissal of the IRHA definition of antisemitism, to her support for Chris Williamson, to her accusation that antisemitism was being ‘weaponised against the Left,’ makes her appointment pitiful.”