HARLOW Labour Party has revealed that they have not discussed the national parties decision to not include the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in its code of conduct.

Earlier this week, 68 rabbis wrote to the Guardian to urge the Labour Party to adopt the unamended, full definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which is used by the UK and Scottish governments, the Welsh Assembly, the Crown Prosecution Service, the College of Policing, the National Union of Students and more than 120 local authorities, most recently Bradford council, which adopted it yesterday.

A day later, Harlow Conservative Councillor Shona Johnson called on prominent Labour councillor Waida Foreman, the Council’s Portfolio holder for Equality and Diversity to reject the Labour NEC decision not to implement the full IHRA definition of anti Semitism.

Cllr Johnson said: “The failure of the Labour party to adopt the IHRA’s definition of Anti Semitism in full has caused upset and worry to Jewish people across the UK.

On Tuesday night, one of the most senior women in the Labour party, Dame Margaret Hodge called Jeremy Corbyn ‘An anti Semite and a racist’ and told him ‘You have proved you don’t want people like me in the party’. ”

“Harlow Labour’s spokesperson on equalities must now come out against the NEC ruling”

Shona continued “Harlow Labour created and paid a portfolio Holder for Equalities – Let’s see if it actually has any teeth”

“Anti Semitic sentiment is running rife in the Labour party at the moment and decent labour councillors and grassroots members must speak out. This is a defining moment for Harlow Labour; do they stay quiet and show they only pay lip service to equalities issues or will they fight the evil of anti semetism?”

So, YH asked Harlow Labour a specific question: “Do you think the Labour Party should recognise the IHRA definition of anti-semitism?

A joint statement between Harlow Labour Party, cllr Waida Forman and prospective parliamentary candidate, Laura McAlpine “On your specific request about the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, this is not something Harlow CLP has discussed, although we are, of course, aware that our National Leadership and NEC are currently wrestling with these very complex issues.

“What we have done is re-affirm our own commitment to opposing any discrimination on grounds of ethnicity or religion, whilst at the same time recognising the importance of concerned individuals and organisation being free to criticise the actions of national governments whether that be Israel ,Burma or indeed, the UK.

“We have also acknowledged the commitment of our Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to the cause of anti-racism over many many years.

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