Labour general secretary urges vigilance on antisemitism 5 years after damning EHRC report
General Secretary Hollie Ridley writes to party members on fifth anniversary of report into Jew-hate under Corbyn
Labour’s general secretary has written to all party members to inform them there is “no room for complacency” in the fight against antisemitism on the fifth anniversary of a damning report into Jew-hatred.
Hollie Ridley reminded members how on October 29th, 2020, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had published a “deeply shaming” report into Labour’s failure under Jeremy Corbyn to tackle antisemitism.
In an email, she said the report showed how Labour, “the party of equality had failed its Jewish members.”
Ridley said the party had responded to this damning judgement by setting up an independent complaints process, delivered antisemitism training with the Jewish Labour Movement, and developing polcies for a code of conduct.
In government, she said, Labour is investing £7million to tackle Jew-hate in schools, colleges and universities.
But recognising the significant challenges ahead, she wrote, “We are not an organisation that minimises or shies away from challenges we must face. Of course, there is no room for complacency.”
Ridley added:” Following the devastating antisemitic terror attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur, where two Jewish people were killed, I understand how raw and anxious the Jewish community is feeling.
“I know I speak for all of our members when I say that we are fully behind the Prime Minister’s drive to stamp out antisemitism, extremism, and division in our country.
“It is incumbent on all of us to continue this work and ensure that the Labour Party is a safe and welcoming place for all of our members, no matter their background. And at a time of rising hate, this work is all the more important.”
Former JLM officials Adam Langleben and Peter Mason were at the centre of the fight to tackle antisemitism in Labour under Corbyn’s leadership.
Key to the momentum for change in the party, just ahead of Starmer becoming leader, was the report delivered by the equalities watchdog into antisemitism.
Langleben, now director of the Progressive Britain organisation, and Mason, now leader of Ealing Council, and JLM staffers Ella Rose and Rebecca Filer all paved the way for the damning EHRC report.
They were assisted by Jewish Labour MPs, peers and the testimonies of members, some of whom were not from the community but felt compelled to speak out.
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