Jewish Labour campaigners ‘to sue party’ amid anti-Semitism definition row
4 min read
Jewish Labour campaigners are reportedly getting ready to take the party to court after it refused to adopt the internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism in full.
Senior figures are preparing their case under the European Convention on Human Rights, while also considering whether to use the “Macpherson principle” under the Equality Act.
The latter argues that by ignoring the wishes of Jewish groups Labour is violating the principle that racist acts are those perceived as such by the victims.
It comes alongside a separate report that MPs and peers are both prepared to overrule the party’s order and force the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition into its rule book.
The latest row over anti-Jewish racism in the party comes after the National Executive Committee decided not to follow the IHRA's definition.
That prompted a huge backlash from backbenchers, including Jewish Barking MP Margaret Hodge, who confronted Jeremy Corbyn in the Commons, telling him he was an “anti-Semite and a racist”. She now faces an internal disciplinary probe.
The Sunday Times reports that the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) has submitted a complaint to Labour through a dossier of abuse levelled against Ms Hodge in Corbyn-supporting Facebook groups, which they claim would be accepted under Labour’s definition of anti-Semitism.
One group included comments which accused Ms Hodge of being “under orders of her paymaster in Israel” and damaging Labour "in the interests of Israel".
Both would potentially breach the IHRA guideline which says anti-Semitism includes accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than their own nations.
Another account's member accused Ms Hodge of supporting “the racist state of Israel” – which again could fall foul under the body’s definition, which forbids “claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavour”.
Ivor Caplin, national chairman of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: “The people on these Facebook groups are behaving in a vile and horrible manner, and the fact is that under the Labour code of conduct, no action can be taken against them if they are party members. It’s clear that the code of conduct is not fit for purpose.”
He added: “We will consider all options including possible legal action. Nothing has yet been ruled out.”
A Labour spokesman said each case would be looked at individually, but told The Sunday Times: “This type of comment categorically would fall foul of our code of conduct and we have and are taking action against such abuse.”
PARLIAMENTARY REBELLION
Labour also reportedly faces a double blow from MPs and peers, who are preparing motions to overrule the leadership’s enforced definition and to accept the IHRA’s.
The Observer says MPs attending Monday’s parliamentary Labour party meeting will push an emergency motion, which if successful would amend its rulebook to make members “accept and abide by the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, including all of its accompanying examples”.
The emergency motion is said to be tabled by Jewish Labour MPs Louise Ellman and Ruth Smeeth. They are backed by Luciana Berger, the parliamentary chair of the Jewish Labour movement.
The Liverpool Wavertree MP said she expected the motion would be accepted for debate and voted upon when possible.
She told the paper: “Its purpose is to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the parliamentary party. It is unfathomable that we find ourselves in this position as a party.”
Meanwhile, Labour peers will be asked to vote when parliament returns in September on a motion that would change the Labour peers’ handbook to ensure members abide by the full IHRA definition.
In an email, the chair of Labour members of the House of Lords, Toby Harris, said he was sure colleagues would share his “deep concern” over the issue.
He said that “following consultation with the Labour Lords leadership … I will be proposing from the chair that we adopt the IHRA definition and its associated examples – unamended – into our rules [the Labour peers group handbook]”.
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