The president of Israel has praised Britain’s chief rabbi for his “clear voice and leadership” after his criticism of Labour’s record on anti-Semitism.
President Reuven Rivlin met with Ephraim Mirvis in London yesterday and expressed support for the chief rabbi’s intervention, in which he hit out at Jeremy Corbyn for not doing enough to tackle the problem.
Mr Rivlin tweeted: “Meeting Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, I offered my support for his inspiring work against rising anti-Semitism and racism.”
The chief rabbi has accused Mr Corbyn of allowing a “poison sanctioned from the top” to take root in Labour, saying Jews are justifiably anxious about the prospect of the party forming the next government.
It comes after Mr Corbyn declined to apologise four times when quizzed over the anti-Semitism row engulfing his party during an interview with BBC interrogator Andrew Neil.
Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner told ITV’s Good Morning Britain today: “Can I just point out that Jeremy Corbyn has apologised.
“In August last year he made a video in which he apologised for all the hurt that had been caused to members of the Jewish community.”
Mr Gardiner said the Labour leader had promised to ensure procedures were speeded up, adding: “One apology doesn’t seem to be enough for people.”
In another interview with Sky’s Kay Burley he said: “If there is racism in this country, it has been fostered and helped by the Conservative Party and government.”
