Jeremy Corbyn embroiled in new anti-Semitism row

Jeremy Corbyn embroiled in new anti-Semitism row
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has come under fire from British-Jewish groups, who have accused him of failing to address anti-Semitism in his party.
2 min read
26 March, 2018
Corbyn has come under fire from two British-Jewish groups [Getty]


Labour's Jeremy Corbyn came under fire on Monday, as British-Jewish groups accused the opposition leader of failing to stamp out anti-Semitism within his party.

It follows the emergence of comments he made on social media six years ago, defending an anti-Semitic mural in London showing bankers playing monopoly on the backs of the poor.

Some of the crudely depicted characters included members of the British-Jewish Rothschild family, who are regular targets of anti-Semitic propaganda and conspiracy theories.

Leading British-Jewish groups have condemned Corbyn for failing to address anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council both accused Corbyn of "repeated institutional failure" to address anti-Jewish prejudice. 

"Again and again, Jeremy Corbyn has sided with anti-Semites rather than Jews," the groups said.

Members of the two organisations will hold a protest outside UK parliament on Monday when Labour MPs are due to meet.

Some Labour supporters say Corbyn, a longtime critic of Israeli injustices against the Palestinians, has allowed abuse to go unchecked.

Corbyn said in a statement that Labour must eradicate "pockets" of anti-Semitism in the party, while other MPs have backed their leader.

Corbyn has also faced criticism for being a member of two Facebook groups that included anti-Semitic messages.

On Monday, right-wing political commentator Guido Fawkes said Corbyn joined a third Facebook group called "The Labour Supporter" which also included anti-Jewish posts.

Agencies contributed to this story.