Labour MPs and peers have demanded their party leadership toughen its stance on antisemitism.
The Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) voted overwhelming in favour of the party adopting in full an internationally-recognised definition of antisemitism, some parts of which were controversially rejected when party leaders drew up a new code of conduct.
The PLP backed calls, led by Jewish community leader groups, for the party to adopt the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which is used by the government, local councils and a number of other organisations.
Dozens of MPs, including shadow ministers such as Sir Keir Starmer, have already called on the party leadership to listen to Jewish community representatives and adopt the full definition.
Labour has agreed to use the definition in its code of conduct but has excluded four of the IHRA's 12 example of antisemitic behaviour, amid claims they could stifle criticism of Israel.
These include comparing Israeli policies to those of the Nazis, or suggesting the creation of the Jewish state was a racist endeavour. Party leaders have also insisted it is not necessarily antisemitic to accuse Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel than their home country, or hold Israel to higher standards than other countries.
The vote is not binding but is likely to increase pressure on Jeremy Corbyn and Jennie Formby, Labour's general secretary, to rethink their approach. The National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to rubber-stamp their decision later this week.
The news comes as 68 rabbis representing different parts of the Jewish community wrote an open letter accusing the Labour leadership of acting "in the most insulting and arrogant way".
In a letter published in The Guardian, the rabbis, who represent communities ranging from the most liberal to the most traditional strands of British Judaism, said: “Antisemitism within sections of the Labour Party has become so severe and widespread that we must speak out with one Jewish voice.
“The Labour Party’s leadership has chosen to ignore those who understand antisemitism the best, the Jewish community. By claiming to know what’s good for our community, the Labour party’s leadership have chosen to act in the most insulting and arrogant way.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “These are the most detailed and comprehensive guidelines on antisemitism adopted by any political party in this country. They adopt the IHRA definition and contextualise and add to the working examples to produce a practical code of conduct that a political party can apply in disciplinary cases."
