Labour NEC adoption of international definition of antisemitism is the right call but long overdue

Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said: “The decision by the National Executive Committee to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of Antisemitism in full with all of its illustrative examples had to be the right call. It is very long overdue and regrettable that Labour has wasted a whole summer trying to dictate to Jews what constitutes offence against us. However the adoption of the internationally-recognised definition by itself, can only be the beginning. Action is what matters.

“We need to see firm action taken against antisemites and those who bring the party in to disrepute by denying the problem of antisemitism. Labour must resolve the outstanding cases; introduce greater transparency to the disciplinary process; tackle the culture of the problem of antisemitism and introduce education and training. In addition Jeremy Corbyn needs to apologise for past antisemitic comments and affiliations.”