LAAS statement on the Labour NEC election

'The election of the ‘#JC9’ slate by Labour members to the party’s NEC raises further concerns about institutional antisemitism in the party.

None of the #JC9 have publicly supported the IHRA definition of antisemitism, with many simply refusing to respond to polite inquiries from the Jewish Labour Movement to clarify their positions.

One of the successful members, Pete Willsman, was embroiled in controversy earlier this summer when he claimed Jews who were concerned by antisemitism in the party were ‘Trump fanatics’.

Even if the NEC does adopt the IHRA definition at its meeting on Tuesday, it is difficult to believe that these members will accept the definition and uphold its parameters to challenge racial hatred against Jews in the party.

It is highly disappointing that, despite the raised profile of antisemitism in the Labour Party over the summer, Labour members have chosen to give their support to candidates so apparently ambivalent towards tackling what is an existential threat to our party.'