EHRC report is ‘a damning verdict’ on antisemitism in the Labour Party

The leaders of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust have issued the following statement in response to the release of the report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on antisemitism in the Labour Party.

“This report is a damning verdict on what Labour did to Jews under Jeremy Corbyn and his allies. It proves why British Jews were so distressed and it disgraces those who attacked us for speaking out against anti-Jewish racism.

“Our Jewish community never wanted this fight, but we had to defend ourselves and are proud to have done so. We thank all those who stood with us, despite the abuse they received as a result.

“Jeremy Corbyn will rightly be blamed for what he has done to Jews and Labour, but the truth is more disturbing, as he was little more than a figurehead for old and new anti-Jewish attitudes. All of this was enabled by those who deliberately turned a blind eye.

“Now, the task of cleaning out the problem lies with the current leadership. We welcome the start that Keir Starmer has made, but the scale of the challenge that lies ahead should not be underestimated.

“We will continue to give our support to all who work to drive racism out of our politics and out of our society.”

Marie van der Zyl – President, Board of Deputies of British Jews

Jonathan Goldstein – Chair, Jewish Leadership Council

Mark Gardner – CEO, Community Security Trust