Israeli Labor Party Breaks Off Relations With Britain’s Corbyn

YERUSHALAYIM (Reuters) —
Gabbay
Avi Gabbay, leader of the Labor Party. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Israel’s Labor party said on Tuesday it had suspended relations with British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, accusing him of sanctioning anti-Semitism and showing hatred towards Israeli policies.

“It is my responsibility to acknowledge the hostility you have shown to the Jewish community and the anti-Semitic statements and actions you have allowed as leader of the Labour party U.K.,” Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay wrote in a letter to Corbyn, distributed to the media.

Corbyn, the British opposition leader who unexpectedly became party head in 2015, is a supporter of Palestinian rights and a critic of Israel, has repeatedly faced accusations of turning a blind eye to anti-Semitic comments in his party and among groups he supports.

Last month, British Jewish groups held a street protest outside Parliament against Corbyn, accusing him of failing to tackle anti-Semitism in party ranks because of a far-left world view hostile to Jews.

“As Israel approaches Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day this week, we are reminded of the horrors of anti-Semitism in Europe and our commitment to combating anti-Semitism of all forms and in all places,” Gabbay’s letter said.

“As such, I write to inform you of the temporary suspension of all formal relations between the Israel Labor Party and the leader of the Labour Party U.K.”

Gabbay said Corbyn had shown “very public hatred” toward Israeli government policies including those where the opposition and the ruling coalition are aligned.

 

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