Labour leader called 'figurehead' for anti-Semitism over criticism of Israel

A Jewish organization has called British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn a “figurehead” for anti-Semitism because of his strong criticism of Israel for its oppressive policies against Palestinians.

The Jewish Leadership Council on Monday also said there were “no safe spaces” in the Labour Party for Jews, as the group prepares to stage an extraordinary demonstration outside Parliament against Corbyn.

 “Rightly or wrong, Jeremy Corbyn is now the figurehead for an anti-Semitic political culture, based upon an obsessive hatred of Israel, conspiracy theories and fake news,” said Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council.

“And that is doing great harm, not just to the Labour party, but to Britain in a wider sense,” he said.

“The reality is there are no safe spaces online, or in meetings, for Jewish people within the Labour Party,” Goldstein continued.

Last year, the Labour Party announced in its General Election manifesto that a Labour government will “immediately recognize” a state of Palestine if the party would win the June 8 vote.

The manifesto, which was revealed by Corbyn, called for an end to Israel’s blockade and occupation of Palestine as well as construction of illegal settlements on the occupied Palestinian lands.

Over half a million Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.

As a veteran peace activist, Corbyn has long been critical of London's involvement in US-led wars across the world its support of Israel in its unending oppression against Palestinians.

Corbyn has stood up for Palestine and Palestinian rights and has been a strong advocate against Britain’s foreign wars in the Middle East.