Jeremy Corbyn refuses to apologize for party plagued by antisemitism
Pushing Corbyn several times to an apology, journalist Andrew Neil said Corbyn had been “given plenty of time to do that. I asked you if you wanted to apologize and you haven't."
By EZRA TAYLOR, REUTERSUpdated: JANUARY 13, 2020 18:57 Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in 2018(photo credit: PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS)
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn did little to quell accusations of antisemitism in an interview on the BBC on Tuesday.In an interview with the British political journalist Andrew Neil, Jeremy Corbyn repeatedly declined an invitation to apologize to the British Jewish community over long-standing antisemitism claims.The main British opposition party has been plagued by antisemitism allegations, which threaten to affect Labour's chances in the upcoming UK election on December 12.“Eighty percent of Jews think that you're antisemitic,” Neil accused Corbyn. “That's quite a lot of British Jews. I mean wouldn't you like to take this opportunity tonight to apologize to the British Jewish community for what's happened?"Corbyn avoided the opportunity to tackle the matter head-on saying, "What I'll say is this: I am determined that our society will be safe for people of all faiths. I don't want anyone to be feeling insecure in our society and our government will protect every community..."Pushing Corbyn several times to apologize, Neil said Corbyn had been “given plenty of time to do that. I asked you if you wanted to apologize and you haven't."Corbyn was asked about Labour Party member Lesley Perrin, who reportedly posted a video to social media denying the Holocaust, with Neil questioning why she only got a written warning. Corbyn responded that he had "strengthened processes" since the incident occurred.On the BBC’s Panorama special, “Is Labour Anti-Semitic?” Which aired in July, it was revealed that top Labour figures had previously “interfered” with the disciplinary process regarding antisemitism disputes.Prior to its July screening, the Labour Party tried to prevent the BBC from broadcasting the documentary.Corbyn’s struggle to address antisemitism made the front page of most of the British papers on Wednesday, painting a grim picture for the embattled Labour leader whom, according to the right-leaning Daily Mail, has been “humiliated.” The Daily Express, another tabloid, called the interview a “horror show.”Broadcaster Piers Morgan tweeted that the interview was “already a train-wreck of Prince Andrew proportions.”On Monday, Britain's chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, wrote in The Times that Corbyn was unfit to be prime minister because he had failed to stem “poisonous” antisemitism within the Labour party.In May, the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched an unprecedented probe into antisemitism within the party. Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the governing body of the UK Labour Party, privately expressed concern that the probe could bankrupt the party if the watchdog hands down a negative ruling, according to a report by The Independent.British voters will cast their votes on December 12 in a crucial election that will determine some key issues, including whether Britain will leave the European Union on January 31.Corbyn has stated he will remain neutral on the issue of Brexit, but has stated that Labour, if elected, would negotiate a leave option with the EU within three months, and within six months that leave option would be put to the public in the form of a referendum.Ilanit Chernick and Zachary Keyser contributed to this report.
