After months of criticism, UK’s Labour adopts broader anti-Semitism definition

The governing body of Britain’s main opposition Labour Party decides to adopt in full the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism amid major public outcry, but decides to add a statement emphasizing the right to “free speech” on Israel — drawing more criticism from Jewish groups.

The National Executive Committee makes the decision after a tense meeting with party leader Jeremy Corbyn in attendance, the Guardian reports.

“The NEC has today adopted all of the IHRA examples of antisemitism, in addition to the IHRA definition which Labour adopted in 2016, alongside a statement which ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians,” a Labour spokesperson tells the Guardian.

“The NEC welcomed Jeremy Corbyn’s statement to the meeting about action against antisemitism, solidarity with the Jewish community and protection of Palestinian rights, as an important contribution to the consultation on Labour’s code of conduct.”