Keir Starmer and his front bench are keen to say that Labour is under new management. We believe that this new management needs to take stronger action on alleged antisemitism, starting with the PLP.
Here we look at cases of alleged antisemitism we believe Starmer needs to address, at the highest levels of the labour party. Until he does, his claims regarding addressing Labour antisemitism will be viewed with skepticism.
Angela Rayner
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Shadow First Secretary of state, Chair of the Labour Party
As well as being a vocal supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, allegedly going as far as to describe accusations of antisemitism in the Labour Party as "smears" Angela has previously praised a book (The Holocaust Industry by Norman Finkelstein) that accused Jews of exploiting the Holocaust for "financial gain" as a "Seminal work", 3 years after writing the article she republished it on her twitter feed on Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said "Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis is that Ms Rayner’s actions and statements qualify as antisemitic discourse according to our methodology."
While Keir Starmer had no choice in her election as Labour Deputy, he did chose to make her Chair of the Labour Party and Shadow First Secretary of state, both important roles, far more important in fact than many recent deputies have been given.
Steve Reed
Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary
Steve made headlines when he allegedly referred to a Jewish property developer as "the puppet master to the entire Tory cabinet" It was alleged he was using a classic antisemitic trope. He deleted the tweet soon after and later apologised "unreservedly". Keir Starmer was asked about the incident on LBC radio and said he would "take a look at it". Later in the day Labour's spokesman said "Steve deleted the tweet and did not mean to cause any offence." It was reported elsewhere that he wasn't aware the person he was referring too was Jewish.
Mike Amesbury
Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning
Mike allegedly shared an antisemitic meme from a site called "Illuminati Agenda", when this was spotted he reportedly claimed “I did not send this vile nonsense and never would" apparently relying on his profile picture being updated on old posts as a defence. Apparently it was later pointed out the post was still on his timeline after which he apologised.
Kate Hollern
Shadow Minister for Local Government
Campaign Against Antisemitism recently revealed Kate had, in the past but as recently as November 2019 liked multiple exceedingly problematic tweets. They say "Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis is that Ms Hollern’s actions amount to breaches of the International Definition of Antisemitism and qualify as antisemitic discourse according to our methodology. By ‘liking’ a comment on Facebook which stated that “The Jewish state has learnt nothing from the Nazis and the Jewish leaders are worse than the Nazis”, she was endorsing a statement which was “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.”"
Sam Tarry
In a hustings during the 2019 UK general election campaign it was reported Sam was recorded saying "'there are people who associated with the Labour Party who sought to exploit the issue (Labour Antisemitism) because they do not agree with Jeremy Corbyn over an issue of foreign policy" This is in effect accusing Jews of lying about racism to defend the state of Israel, and plays on antisemitic tropes of Jews being more loyal to Israel as well as making mendacious claims about Jews and therefore is an apparent breach of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Sam has been promoted twice by Keir Starmer since this information came to light and continues to make inflammatory coments.
Naz Shah
Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion
Naz Shah previously was suspended and apologised for online posts that she admitted were antisemitic. Including suggesting that Israel be moved to the US and alleging "the Jews" were involved in trying to skew an online poll. In an interview after her suspension ended she said that she wasn't antisemitic, though the posts were, and said "I think what I had was an ignorance" she also said she had been on a learning journey in recent months and had received "amazing compassion" from the Jewish community."
Afzal Khan
Shadow Deputy Leader of the Commons
While an MEP Afzal Khan allegedly said "The Israeli Government are acting like Nazis in Gaza" This is an apparent breach of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. He also reportedly shared a video that had text beneath including "Israel-British-Swiss-Rothschilds crime syndicate” and “mass murdering Rothschilds Israeli mafia criminal liars” It is thought he was never sanctioned for these incidents and instead given a safe seat and then jobs in the Corbyn regime, and now again under Keir
Rebecca Long-Bailey
Former Shadow Education Secretary for Keir Starmer and Business under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
Rebecca made the news when she allegedly praised an article that linked the killing by American police of George Floyd to Israel. She was apparently asked to delete the tweet but after refusing she was sacked from the shadow cabinet with Keir Starmer saying the article "contained anti-Semitic conspiracy theories". No formal disciplinary action was taken with respect to her membership.
Margaret Greenwood
Former Shadow Minister for Schools under Keir Starmer
Margaret recently made the news when she reportedly praised an article which said that a "lynch mob" was behind the "political assassination" of Jeremy Corbyn, the article repeatedly made allegations that at best allegations of antisemitism were made in bad faith, and at worst that they were part of a conspiracy. She deleted the tweet apparently after being told to by Keir Starmer's office. She quit the shadow front bench over an unrelated matter.
Dan Carden
Former Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Under Keir Starmer
Dan made headlines during the election for allegedly singing "Hey Jews" to the tune of "Hey Jude". Carden did not initially deny this but said he'd never "intentionally" be antisemitic. No action was taken at the time and Keir Starmer moved him from international development to the treasury upon becoming leader. Many were exceptionally disappointed by this decision. He quit the shadow front bench over an unrelated matter.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Former Shadow Minister for Natural Environment and Air Quality for Keir Starmer
Lloyd has reportedly previously described Zionism as "a very dangerous nationalist idea" and "not progressive in its very nature" The CAA said of this "implying that the right to self-determination for Jews cannot be “progressive” but is a negative right, when the right to self-determination for other peoples is invariably considered a positive one, Mr Russell-Moyle was demonising Jews who assert their universal right to self-determination, and as such was “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination”."
Lloyd has also reportedly defended Mel Melvin, who at the time was suspended for allegedly accusing Israel of having the BBC fake footage of a chemical attack in Syria and described antisemitism in labour as a "witch hunt". He also apparently wrote to Labour HQ to defend another suspended member who was suspended for supporting Chris Williamson. Rebecca Massey who had her own history of alleged antisemitism as well as defending Chris Williamson.
No action was taken about Lloyd's comments and actions, though he later left the shadow cabinet for other reasons.
Jeremy Corbyn
Former Leader of the Labour Party, currently sitting as an independent MP but still Labour Member
Jeremy Corbyn was Leader of Labour from 2015-2020. During which time many stories emerged about his long history of alleged antisemitism, as well as his alleged support for antisemites (including terrorists who murdered Jews) and the institutionalisation of antisemitism in the Labour party under his leadership.
Under his leadership Labour became the first major party to be investigated by the EHRC, their report on Labour Antisemitism will be out soon. Recently Labour apologised for comments made in response to the Panorama documentary on labour antisemitism where the whistle-blower's and filmmaker John Ware were attacked. Corbyn has since repeated these attacks and legal action is being taken against him, another case relating to antisemitism brought against him is also proceeding after Corbyn's legal team failed to have it stopped from reaching court.
Corbyn continues to be an issue for Keir Starmer from the back benches and action clearly needs to be taken, with many suggest that no party with someone like Corbyn in it's ranks can claim to be an anti-racist party.
Diane Abbott
Former Shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
Diane has previously reportedly referred to Labour antisemitism as "a smear", she reportedly "ranted" about what she claimed was an orchestrated attack on Jeremy Corbyn relating to antisemitism, and promoted a tweet by a twitter account that repeatedly promoted antisemitic conspiracies, which on this occasion was claiming that 1000's of people had joined Labour in response to a demo the previous day about antisemitism in labour, these people were apparently joining because they were disgusted about the "smearing" of Jeremy Corbyn. Campaign against antisemitism say "Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis is that Ms Abbott’s actions and statements qualify as antisemitic discourse"
Richard Burgon
Former Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
Richard caused huge controversy when it emerged he'd allegedly stated that "Zionism is the enemy of peace", he initially denied making the remarks until video emerged of him making them. He also reportedly said "False accusations fly as soon as you support the people of Palestine and I myself in some small way was attacked" in 2016, two years after his initial remarks, with the implication being that those who had initially picked up on his remarks were lying.
The CAA said "By stating that “The enemy of the Palestinian people, is not the Jewish people. The enemy of the Palestinian people are Zionists, and Zionism is the enemy of peace and the enemy of the Palestinian people.” Mr Burgon was demonising Zionist Jews, and as such was “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination.”
Dawn Butler
Former Shadow Minister for Equalities under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
Dawn made the news when she allegedly accused Jews of attacking her on twitter. Many of the comments she received were calling out antisemitism in labour, her response was to say "A bit of suppprt (sic) from you would be nice". She was a staunch defender of Jeremy Corbyn and was regularly criticised under his leadership for failing to call out antisemitism in the party. She was also criticised for her roll in drawing up labour Race and Faith manifesto policy to reform the EHRC, seen by many as a direct attack on the organisation for investigating it.
Dawn also refused to back the Board of Deputies 10 pledges to tackle labour antisemitism, for which she was roundly condemned both from within the Labour Party, and by Jewish community organisations
Barry Gardiner
Barry was a staunch supporter of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. He caused controversy when on Question Time when he reportedly insisted that stories of antisemitism in labour were "entertainment". He also defended Jeremy and the Labour party against accusations of antisemitism allegedly claiming that it was about "the politics of Israel" and stating the party had "not been antisemitic".
The CAA had this to say about his statements
"By suggesting that claims of antisemitism against Jeremy Corbyn are simply made on the basis of his criticism of Israel, rather than Mr Corbyn’s clear history of antisemitism; likewise, by stating that the Labour Party “has not…been antisemitic”, thereby implying that the many experiences of discrimination within the Party documented in the dossier were fabricated, Mr Gardiner was deploying the so-called ‘Livingstone Formulation’, by accusing Jews who cite evidence of antisemitism of lying, conspiring or having deceitful motives in doing so, when there is clear evidence that there have been breaches of the International Definition of Antisemitism. This constitutes “making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews…”
Claudia Webbe
Backbencher, currently sitting as Independent
Claudia was a member of the NEC under Jeremy Corbyn, frequently involved in some of the worst cases of antisemitism that the party looked into. She has allegedly previously defended Ken Livingstone over antisemitism and been accused of letting antisemitism go unchallenged at labour conference at an event she chaired. She was head of the NEC disputes panel for a time, an appointment that itself caused controversy given her past and was called "a step backwards"
She is currently suspended on an unrelated matter
Grahame Morris
Backbencher
Grahame caused controversy when he reportedly attacked the IDF for beating children using footage of Guatemalan troops beating children. He did so while retweeting a known allegedly antisemitic account. Doing so he was not only sharing mendacious claims against Jews but he was also showing a double standard as even when he apologised he didn't condem Guatemalan troops for beating children, nor it seems any other country where such actions may have occurred. This displays a double standard towards Israel as he only seems interested in condemning countries who beat children if they are Israel., having a double standard against Israel is against the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Kate Osamor
Backbencher
Kate reportedly supported Marc Wadsworth who was expelled from Labour after his actions towards Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth at the launch of the Chakrabarti report into antisemitism in the labour party. Kate reportedly said at a panel event she participated in with Marc "I send my solidarity to you".
Kate has also allegedly supported the BDS campaign against Israel, considered by many to be inherintly antisemitic as it's goal is the targeting of the worlds only Jewish majority state in an apparent breach of the IHRA definition principle of having a double standard towards Israel.
Apsana Begum
Backbencher
Prior to being elected Apsana caused controversy when it was found she had allegedly shared statements about the Saudi government’s “Zionist masters” and claimed that universities are “offering scholarships to students of for spreading Zionist propaganda". She never faced sanction for this and was later nominated as a parliamentary candidate, being elected at the last election and now one of labours newest intakes of MPs
Debbie Abrahams
Backbencher
Debbie caused something of a twitter uproar when she tweeted about the 6 day war in an exceptionally one sided way that reportedly rewrote the history of the conflict as a means of demonising Israel. This was called an "offensive antisemitic lie" She has also been called out for spreading inaccurate and misleading information about Isreal in the past with regards to attacks by Hamas and retaliation by Israel.
On antisemitism in the UK she allegedly signed a letter along with the likes of Chris Williamson, Jared O'Mara, Ken Loach and multiple MPs mentioned on this page in support of another letter defending people being able to call Israel "racist" and "apartheid" insisting that the BDS campaign was not antisemitic.
Barry Sheerman
Backbencher
Barry made headlines when he reportedly tweeted about "a run on silver shekels" in an apparent reference to a rumour about 2 Jewish businessmen missing out on peerages. CAA said of the tweet "Barry Sheerman's first reaction on hearing that two prominent Jewish businessmen supposedly missed out on peerages is to think about 'silver shekels', alluding in one fell swoop to both classic and modern anti-Semitic tropes about Jews corrupting politics with money and being more loyal to Israel than their own countries."
He apologised for his tweet which he called "clumsy" and announced he'd be taking a "rest from twitter". No action appears to have been taken by the party.
Rupa Huq
Backbencher
Rupa was accused of antisemitism by two former staff members. One told how she had questioned them about having the Star of David on their backpack calling it "the flag of Israel" and she allegedly repeatedly questioned them about it during the day. Another said she had 'devised a whole separate line of questioning based on Judaism and loyalty to Israel' for a Jewish candidate looking to work for her.
Addressing these and other claims a spokeswoman for Ms Huq said: 'We don't comment on staffing matters. Any suggestion that Rupa is antisemitic or has acted inappropriately is entirely false and malicious.'
Zarah Sultana
Backbencher
Multiple concerning reports emerged about Zarah during the 2019 election, including that she allegedly said she would celebrate the death of the leader of Israel, that "the sooner they meet their creator the better", she also apparently said that she supported violent resistance against Israel.
She also apparently attacked a Jewish student running for a BAME position at university calling them "white". a student at the university at the same time said "Her whole raison d’etre was that Jewish students were basically privileged white people who had no right to speak out on racism or injustices” The CAA said this was “making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews
After becoming an MP she tweeted her "solidarity" with "political prisoners" who turned out to be members of a terrorist organisation who had been jailed for murdering Jews. A tweet she later deleted
She has apologised for some of her past actions and no action was taken against her.