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Exclusive: Jeremy Corbyn planning North London speech 'to address the Jewish community'

Jewish Museum confirms it has been approached by the Labour leader's office to host a speech at its Camden venue

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The Labour Party has approached the Jewish Museum to host a speech on its antisemitism crisis.

The JC understands that the proposal would see Jeremy Corbyn, the party’s leader, address an audience of members of the Jewish community.

Abigail Morris, the Jewish Museum's chief executive, confirmed the approach but said no agreement to host an event has yet been struck.

Labour sources confirmed the speech would not take place on Friday, adding that contrary to rumours, their offer had not been rebuffed outright.

Ms Morris said the museum would “absolutely be open to hosting” the event, as long as it was “done carefully and sensitively”.

Initial reports suggested the party intended to hold the event tomorrow. For logistical reasons, any speech would take place next week instead.

Mr Corbyn’s office indicated the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council would also be invited, she told the JC, adding that when the Jewish Museum contacted the organisations, both reported that they had not yet been approached by the party.

She said: “We are still trying to work out what [Mr Corbyn’s office] is asking from us — whether it is a discussion, a statement or a speech.

“Things are very delicate at the moment. But the Jewish Museum is all about building bridges, and sometimes that’s hard. 

“We would want to be part of a healing process — not something that will make things worse. We are very proud of being a cross-communal space and we want to be a place where positive dialogue can take place.”

Ms Morris said that the event is likely to take place on Monday rather than Friday, if it goes ahead.

The JC has approached Mr Corbyn's office for comment.

The Jewish Museum, which was founded in Bloomsbury in 1932, relocated to Camden in North London in a multimillion-pound project in 2010.

The potential speech comes amid speculation Labour is preparing to announce it will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in full.

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