A Tale of Three Inquiries

Despite all the momentous events happening in the news, the issue of antisemitism in politics in general and especially in the Labour Party keeps on attracting comment. There are three inquiries into antisemitism, for which there has been unprecedented cooperation between communal organisations.

With events moving so fast, the expertise of colleagues in the Board of Deputies, JLC, CST, UJS, BICOM, the Jewish Labour Movement, Holocaust Educational Trust and the All Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism and others have all been invaluable. Throughout our organisations there are experienced professionals trying to make sense of the fast moving developments, as the issue of antisemitism has become increasingly bound up with the controversy surrounding the leadership of the Labour Party.

We all submitted evidence to Baroness Royall’s Inquiry into antisemitism in the Oxford Labour Club and beyond. That has not yet been published in full. UJS and Jewish Labour Students are asking why.

Numerous organisations and individuals submitted evidence to the Chakrabrati Inquiry into antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism which was commissioned by the Labour Party. Ms Chakrabarti held several meetings with communal leaders and representatives, one of which was brokered by the Board of Deputies. Whilst there is satisfaction with many elements of the final report, there is disappointment that Ms Chakrabarti’s expressed good intentions are not fully reflected in the recommendations. The Jewish Labour Movement is working to have the positive elements of the report implemented by the party.