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Jewish Brexit Party candidate to challenge Jeremy Corbyn in stand 'against antisemitism'

Yosef David is moved from Hendon, where the party will not stand, to Islington North

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A Brexit Party candidate who was due to stand in Hendon is to fight Jeremy Corbyn's Islington North seat instead, after the party committed to not challenge sitting Tory MPs.

Yosef David said he was "honoured" to represent Nigel Farage's party in the north London seat, telling to the JC: "It has offered me the opportunity to stand in the name of pluralism and against antisemitism." 

The decision was confirmed on Monday after Mr Farage announced he had abandoned plans to stand more than 600 candidates on December 12.

"Before we knew what was happening with people being stood down the party asked me if I knew anyone to stand in Islington North to challenge Mr Corbyn about antisemitism," said Mr David.

"He's been very coy about discussing this, particularly in front of the religious community. I was honoured to be asked."

Mr David revealed he had only just received a delivery of 20,000 leaflets to support his campaign in Hendon, where he planned to challenge Tory candidate Matthew Offord over his commitment to a hard Brexit.

"It's probably the right decision in regards to the marginals," said Mr David, of the move to pull out Brexit Party candidates in a deal with the Conservatives.

"I think there has been some kind of arrangement with the Prime Minister. Nigel Farage has said a few things he has committed to do with regards to regulatory realignment. From what I can see, Brexit isn’t about xenophobia or extremism."

Mr David said his view of the EU was that it was “damaging” to the interests of the Jewish community.

He added: “How can a small community advocate for its rights in a block of 500 million people better than it can in a country of 80 million?

”When we are talking about schechita, halal slaughter and on brit Milah we are just more able to advocate in our country.

“With regard to looking after our interests we are better, I would say, in beautiful Great Britain with its longstanding traditions of open mindedness.”

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