I have said before that the increase in antisemitism in the Labour Party is a crisis of the soul for us, a crisis that if not dealt with will lead to the Labour Party disappearing into a vortex of eternal shame and embarrassment. I cannot put it any more strongly than this.
As Deputy Leader I can only promise members of the Jewish Labour Movement that you have my full solidarity and support and that I will continue to monitor and press for action on antisemitism within the Labour Party for as long as it takes for it to be adequately dealt with.
I firmly believe that there will always be a special bond between the Jewish community and the Labour Party, based on the shared values and ideology which are encapsulated best by the concept of tikkun olam, which reminds us all of our obligation to pursue social justice and work for the good of society as a whole.
I will remain mindful of tikkun olam in my ongoing responsibility to support the Jewish community in the years ahead and I hope that JLM will remain affiliated to the Labour Party and continue to work with me in the pursuit of a more just world for us all.
Tom Watson is deputy leader of the Labour Party. This article appears in a booklet to be distributed to JLM members attending its Annual General Meeting on Sunday
