UK’s Labour passes motion strongly criticizing Israel amid anti-Semitism warning

LONDON — Britain’s main opposition Labour Party passes a motion strongly criticizing Israel, as a senior lawmaker warns the party must root out anti-Semitism.

Delegates at the party’s conference vote Tuesday to criticize Israel’s use of force during clashes in Gaza, urge more UK funding for the UN agency for Palestinians, and back a freeze on British arms sales to Israel.

The vote comes after a heated debate that saw Palestinian flags waved in the convention hall.

Labour has been riven by allegations that the party has become hostile to Jews under leader Jeremy Corbyn, a longtime supporter of Palestinians.

Foreign-affairs spokeswoman Emily Thornberry says Labour must kick out “sickening individuals … who use our legitimate support for Palestine as a cloak and a cover for their despicable hatred of Jewish people.”

— AP