Embattled Corbyn says 'we all need to do better' on anti-Semitism
British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, under fire for his response to anti-Semitism within his Labour Party, has said in a holiday message to Jews that "we all need to do better."
Scores of party members have been suspended, expelled or forced to resign for making anti-Semitic statements since Corbyn became party leader in 2015, but he and his far-left supporters have been accused of a "complacent" approach to the problem.
Criticism of his leadership reached a crescendo at the beginning of the week when 500 demonstrators took to the lawns of parliament in central London, calling for severe punishments against anti-Semitic members of the party, one of the UK's oldest political institutions.
In a message for the Jewish holy holiday of Passover, Corbyn condemned the anti-Semitic murder last week of French Holocaust survivor Mirielle Knoll but conceded that "it is easy to denounce antisemitism when you see it in other countries, in other political movements. It is sometimes harder to see it when it is closer to home."
"We in the labour movement will never be complacent about antisemitism. We all need to do better," Corbyn said in a video uploaded to social media networks.
"I am committed to ensuring the Labour Party is a welcoming and secure place for Jewish people. And I hope this Passover will mark a move to stronger and closer relations between us and everyone in the Jewish community."
"In the fight against antisemitism, I am your ally and I always will be."
Since Corbyn assumed the leadership, a series of controversies relating to his meetings with supporters of armed struggle against Israel and failure to stamp out anti-Semitism in his party have led to a tumultuous relationship with British Jewry including within Labour ranks.
Earlier this month, it was revealed in a 280-page dossier produced by blogger David Collier that prior to becoming opposition leader, Corbyn was a member of a Facebook group that was rife with anti-Semitic content.
Last week it was revealed that in 2012 Corbyn, from the far left of the party, offered his support to a street artist who painted a mural -- depicting a group of bankers playing Monopoly on the backs of the poor -- that was widely deemed as having anti-Semitic undertones.
He said he regretted his comments.
“I’m not an anti-Semite in any way, never have been, never will be. I’ve opposed racism in any form all my life. It’s the way I was brought up, it’s the way I’ve lived my life,” he told the Jewish News this week as the crisis intensified.
The interview attracted criticism because Corbyn referred more than once to Israel when pressed on anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Theresa May also sent a Passover message on Friday, as Jews around the world congregated for traditional meals with family and friends.
"The story of Passover teaches us that, while wrong may triumph for a time, the arc of history always bends to the righteous," May, also the Tory party leader, said.
"So, at this special time of year, let us all pledge to stand up and make our voices heard in the face of anti-Semitism."