An identical Editorial published in all three of London’s competing Jewish newspapers this past week made headlines around the world for the unique experiment in collaboration and for its disturbing message, describing Britain’s Labour Party as an “existential threat” to the local Jewish community.
The Editorial, entitled “United We Stand,” appeared in The Jewish Chronicle, The Jewish News and The Jewish Telegraph. The Editorial condemned Labour’s recent decision to amend an internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism for its own code of conduct by eliminating a passage about Israel.
It was the latest in a long line of expressions of concerns from the Jewish community about Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition in Britain, and his party, perceived as not only anti-Israel but displaying signs of anti-Semitic behavior. Corbyn, who became the party leader in 2015, has long championed the Palestinian cause and been a strong critic of Israeli policies, though he denies persistent charges that he is an anti-Semite.
Two members of Labour have castigated their own party for allegedly failing to address anti-Semitism in its ranks. Ian Austin reportedly said the party has become a “bloody disgrace,” and Margaret Hodge told Corbyn to his face that he was an “anti-Semitic racist.” Austin and Hodge are being investigated by the party for violating its code of conduct.
In publishing the Editorial, the editors of the Jewish newspapers in London sought to counter the claim that only fringe elements of the community were deeply worried about Labour’s views. We endorse our colleagues’ dramatic stand to call attention to a potentially dangerous situation.
