Corbyn defended his decision, saying that he found it extremely interesting to interact with young people.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, said he was right to attend a dinner event hosted by Jewdas[/tweetit], an ultra-leftist Jewish group post scathing criticism from multiple mainstream Jewish leaders. He denied having any regrets about his attendance when asked. Jewdas is known as a Jewish group known for their extreme criticism of ordinary Jewish bodies.
Jeremy Corbyn Criticized for Attending Radical Jewish Event[/tweetthis]
The Labour leader participated in Seder. The organizer Jewdas only a few days ago accused the Jewish Labour Movement, Jewish Board of Deputies, and the Jewish Leadership Council of engaging in “a dangerous game” which may destroy the lives of many people. The leftist Jewish organization said the three should not organize protests against Corbyn on the issue of managing anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.
Jewdas runs a satirical website and manages alternative Jewish parties and events. In its statement made during the last week of March, the organization said a few things about the protests which the mainstream Jewish organizations had named Enough is Enough. The leftist organization noted that a majority of the antagonism over anti-Semitism within the Labour Party was orchestrated by a group of people whose real loyalties lie with Conservative Party and the Labour Party’s right tinge.
Corbyn defended his decision, saying he found it extremely interesting to interact with young people concerning their experiences in the Britain of today. He admitted to learning a lot from these interactions. A Corbyn spokesperson had earlier confirmed that the Labour leader had attended the event held in Islington. Corbyn himself has close ties with the Islington constituency. The spokesperson said Corbyn went to the Jewdas event as himself and not as a Labour Party leader. On matters of anti-Semitism, Corbyn has requested for an urgent formal meeting to tackle anti-Semitism within Labour Party.
Mainstream Jewish groups were naturally angry towards Corbyn. Jonathan Arkush, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “If Jeremy Corbyn goes to their event, how can we take his stated commitment to be an ally against anti-Semitism seriously?” Similar opinions echoed by Jewish Labor Movement. The organization issued a statement saying the Jewdas “topped off the worst week on record of awful relations between the Labour Party and the Jewish community.”
Two questions: was it legitimate for Corbyn to meet Jewdas? (Yes). Was it politically wise? (No).
— George Eaton (@georgeeaton) April 3, 2018