Anti-Semitism rocks UK Labour Party

The UK’s opposition Labour Party is embroiled in an anti-Semitic scandal, with dozens of pro-Palestinian members accused of racism toward Jewish people. In a bid to sow unity instead of division, London’s newly elected mayor, a Muslim from the Labour Party, attended the UK’s Holocaust memorial ceremony as his first official act.

But can Sadiq Khan’s attempt to tamp down anti-Semitism within his party ease it nationwide? The scandal has deepened identity politics in the UK, where a distaste for Israel’s actions has, for some, turned into a distaste for Jewish people in general. Members of the Jewish community are expressing concern for their safety, while others worry they will be accused of racism for simply criticising Israel.

What’s happening within the Labour Party, and how is it affecting attitudes and actions toward Jewish communities? The Stream discusses at 19:30 GMT.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Rabbi Herschel Gluck
Chairman of the Arab-Jewish Forum & Chairman and Founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum
 

Charley Allan @charleyallan
Columnist, Morning Star 
 

Rachel Shabi @rachshabi
Journalist and author
 

What do you think? Are critics of Israel, anti-Semitic? Leave your views in the comment section below.