by JNS and Israel Hayom Staff
As controversy over growing anti-Semitism in the party rages, MP Chris Williamson says Labour has been "too apologetic, given too much ground"
Britain's
Labour Party has suspended one of its members, Chris Williamson, for
saying the party has been "too apologetic" about accusations of
anti-Semitism.
The decision was made by Jennie Formby, the
party's general secretary, who earlier this month said that it "is
impossible to eradicate" anti-Semitism, and that it is "dishonest to
claim to be able to do so," even though she acknowledged that it is
crucial to "eliminate the evil of anti-Semitism."
A party spokesperson said "Chris Williamson is suspended from the party, and therefore the whip, pending investigation."
Williamson was filmed as saying, regarding
the anti-Semitism issue in Labour, "I've got to say, I think our party's
response has been partly responsible … Because, in my opinion, we've
backed off far too much, we've given too much ground, we've been too
apologetic."
Williamson apologized in a statement,
saying it "pains me greatly … that anyone should believe that it is my
intention to minimize the cancerous and pernicious nature of
antisemitism … I deeply regret, and apologize for, my recent choice of
words when speaking about how the Labour party has responded to the
ongoing fight against antisemitism inside of our party. I was trying to
stress how much the party has done to tackle anti-Semitism."
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism
expressed disapproval over how the party is reacting to Williamson, in
addition to slamming him for his comments.
"Chris Williamson was just this morning let
off with a slap on the wrist and even reportedly received a warm hug
from the chairman of the Labour Party," said the group's chairman,
Gideon Falter.
"This is a man who has baited Jews and befriended Labour activists suspended or expelled over antisemitism for years."
"It is outrageous that he is only being
investigated now, and that it is only happening in response to a public
outcry, including by other Labour MPs," he continued. "The suspension of
Chris Williamson under duress shows that the Labour Party no longer
possesses moral initiative."
Falter added, "Why would any member of the
Jewish community have faith in Labour to investigate Mr. Williamson
fairly, efficiently and transparently when his friend Jackie Walker has
been under inconclusive investigation for almost three years? Jeremy
Corbyn is an anti-Semite under whose leadership the once fiercely
anti-racist Labour Party has become institutionally anti-Semitic."
JNS and Israel Hayom Staff
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/2019/02/28/uk-labour-party-suspends-mp-for-anti-semitic-remarks/
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