Labour antisemitism apology letter signed by nearly 1,000 Corbyn supporters

‘We have seen antisemitism from Labour members and supporters, online or offline. We recognise that as a movement we have been too slow to acknowledge this problem, too tolerant of the existence of antisemitic views within our ranks, too defensive and too eager to downplay it’

Nearly 1,000 Jeremy Corbyn supporters have signed an open letter apologising to the Jewish community, saying Labour has been “too slow” to recognise the problem of antisemitism in the party’s ranks.

It follows the suspension of the MP Chris Williamson from Labour, after he angered colleagues and Jewish campaigners for claiming the party had been “too apologetic” over antisemitism accusations.

Just last week Luciana Berger, a Jewish MP, also quit the party claiming it was “institutionally antisemitic” – a move described as the “worst day of shame” in Labour’s 120-year history by deputy leader Tom Watson.

In the letter – shared on social media by the activist organisation Momentum – the 965 signatories write: “We are Labour members who support Jeremy Corbyn in his leadership and the progressive socialist programme and anti-racist principles of the Labour Party.”

They add: “We have seen antisemitism from Labour members and supporters, online or offline. We recognise that as a movement we have been too slow to acknowledge this problem, too tolerant of the existence of antisemitic views within our ranks, too defensive and too eager to downplay it.

“We sincerely apologise to the Jewish community, and our Jewish comrades in the party, for our collective failure.”

The Corbyn-backing activists also write that a “small minority” of antisemitic individuals are “sabotaging” the Labour project and alienating Jewish people.

“We are acutely aware that confidence in the left is at an all time low within Jewish communities,” it added. “It is our goal to rebuild trust and relationships with our Jewish compatriots.”

And in a plea to Jewish Labour members, those who signed the letter say they understand those who feel “uncertain and have reservations”, but add: “We hope that you will stay in the Labour Party, so we can work with you and together eradicate antisemitism from our movement and society as a whole.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson said he would meeting with Mr Corbyn on Monday to discuss how the party can “further improve measures to deal with antisemitism”.

Referring to Ms Berger’s decision to leave Labour, he went on: “When Luciana Berger left the Labour Party, I thought it was the worst day of shame in the Labour Party’s 120-year history. A pregnant young MP bullied out of her own party by racist thugs.”

On Mr Williamson’s suspension, Mr Watson said: “Having monitored some of the things he’s said in the last week, our general secretary decided that the pattern of behaviour over recent months was potentially bringing our party into disrepute, and so has suspended him from the party and there’ll be an inquiry.

“He’s entitled to a fair hearing but I’ve been very, very concerned that his comments have almost been deliberately inflammatory and causing offence to not just parliamentary colleagues but people in the Jewish community who understandably have a real concern about antiemitism in the Labour Party.”

Mr Williamson has issued an apology and said he regrets his “choice of words”, but insisted he had not intended to minimise the seriousness of antisemitism.

He told the BBC on Wednesday: “I am going to clear my name within the party procedures.

“I think I’ve got a very strong case. There is no evidence against me in reality.”

On Thursday, he released a statement on Twitter thanking Labour members and supporters for “the incredible solidarity you have shown me over the last 48 hours”.