Jewish Labour Movement gives evidence to EHRC antisemitism probe
Claims include allegations constituency Labour parties up and down the country had 'attempted to deter and exclude Jews'
The Jewish Labour Movement has submitted its final report to the statutory body investigating Labour over Jew hatred, arguing that the Party is “legally responsible for endemic, institutional antisemitism”.
JLM’s submission was made to the Equality and Human Rights Council (EHRC), which last year launched a statutory investigation under Section 20 and Schedule 2 of the Equality Act 2006.
The report alleges that information was passed by USB stick between Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s office and the investigating units, despite the required independence of the latter.
The investigation has sought to determine whether Labour has carried out “unlawful acts” in relation to Jewish members, applicants or associates, which JLM – an official affiliate – argues that it has under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
JLM said there was “overwhelming evidence that antisemitic conduct is pervasive at all levels of the Party” and noted that verbal abuse was commonplace, comparing phrases such as “Zio” and “dirty Zionist” to “Kike” and “Yid”.
The EHRC investigation has focused on the Party’s response to a sample of complaints of alleged unlawful acts that have taken place since 11 March 2016, but JLM said their evidence “shows the rapid escalation of antisemitic behaviour from 2015-16 onwards”.
Aiming at the leadership, JLM said Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell “are comfortable participating on platforms where antisemitic content is routinely shared… the most base and shocking imagery is being posted on these platforms”.
Among the allegations in JLM’s submission was that Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) up and down the country had “attempted to deter and exclude Jews”.
Lawyers representing JLM, including James Libson, a partner at the Mishcon de Reya law firm, said examples submitted to the EHRC included evidence of party members’ improper involvement in internal antisemitism investigations.
“There has been interference and that interference has unfortunately become institutional,” said Libson.
“Institutional in the sense that people affiliated with the leader’s office – and now in the actual unit that are investigating – and that at a more basic level, information is passing between the leader’s office and investigating unit… by USB sticks, by WhatsApp groups, secret WhatsApp groups”.
Shadow housing secretary John Healey said Labour had “toughened up” its approach, “having been too slow and too weak at the start,” adding that this included “an in-house lawyer, special appeal panels to deal with complaints, and new fast-track expulsion powers”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
