Corbyn apology sparks call for tougher stance on anti-Semitism
Calls for Labour to take a harder line against anti-Semitism have intensified after Jeremy Corbyn apologised for sharing a platform with people who reportedly compared Israel to the Nazis.
Mr Corbyn issued the apology after it emerged he had hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2010 at which speakers are said to have likened the actions of Israel in Gaza to Hitler's regime.
The Labour leader acknowledged that he had appeared alongside people "whose views I completely reject" and apologised for the "concerns and anxiety" that caused.
He said: "The main speaker at this Holocaust Memorial Day meeting, part of a tour entitled 'never again - for anyone', was a Jewish Auschwitz survivor. Views were expressed at the meeting which I do not accept or condone.
"In the past, in pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people and peace in Israel/Palestine, I have on occasion appeared on platforms with people whose views I completely reject. I apologise for the concerns and anxiety that this has caused."
A member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), Ann Black, called on the party leader to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, including its examples.
Jeremy Corbyn has the ability and the authority to do it
She told the BBC: "If it's necessary to add to it to make clear that it does not stop party members defending the rights of the Palestinians, or criticising certain sections of the Israeli government, then that is fine.
"But that is the starting point and I believe Jeremy Corbyn has the ability and the authority to do it, and I hope he does so."
A Labour Party spokesman said: "Labour is committed to rooting out anti-Semitism from our party and society. False and partisan attacks like this undermine the fight against anti-Semitism.
"Labour has adopted the IHRA definition, which is reproduced word for word in our code of conduct, and the examples are expanded on and contextualised to produce legally robust guidelines that a political party can apply to disciplinary cases.
"IHRA says its text is not legally binding and therefore there is no basis to legally challenge the code of conduct."
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