Britain’s largest opposition Labor party has lifted former leader Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension. Corbyn was punished in late October for comments he made about a report denouncing anti-Semitism within Labor.
Investigators from the UK’s anti-discrimination agency, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (EHRC), concluded that the party leadership did far too little to prevent anti-Semitism. Corbyn, as a former leader with ultimate responsibility, did not accept “various conclusions” and stated that he did not fail.
Reports of insults and intimidation would not have been processed by “obstructive party bureaucracy,” Corbyn continued. The problem within Labor would have been blown up for “political reasons”, he claimed.
Keir Starmer, Corbyn’s successor, was forced to apologize for “Labor Day of Shame” and suspend Corbyn. As a result, the former party leader could no longer attend sessions of the British Parliament on behalf of Labor.
Labor repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism
Britain’s largest opposition party has been accused of anti-Semitism repeatedly since Corbyn took office in 2016. Although the atmosphere in the party has since improved, EHRC writes, the problem could have been better addressed if the party leadership had taken action.
The party must present an action plan within weeks to improve the approach to anti-Semitism. However, leaders of Jewish communities do not see the future brightly for Labor. “The mountain that the party has to climb to regain our trust has only gotten higher,” quotes Reuters hen.
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