News
Corbyn ally in plot to marginalise Board of Deputies and the JLC
Fury as Barry Gardiner seeks talks with Ephraim Mirvis while bypassing communal leaders
October 10, 2018 19:22
Fury as Barry Gardiner seeks talks with Ephraim Mirvis while bypassing communal leaders
October 10, 2018 19:22One of Jeremy Corbyn’s key frontbench MPs has sparked fury after attempting to bypass the main Jewish communal organisations to discuss Labour’s on-going antisemitism crisis directly with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
The move by Shadow Cabinet member Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, is seen as an attempt by the Labour leadership to marginalise the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, both of which have refused to continue discussions with Mr Corbyn’s office until Labour shows it is taking serious action against antisemitism.
It comes after Mr Gardiner told a fringe meeting at last month’s Labour conference that he had complained to the BBC about “bad editorial judgement” after the Labour leader was asked in an interview with Andrew Marr about antisemitism rather than issues such as Brexit.
Mr Gardiner, the Shadow Trade Secretary, claims he wants to “bridge the strains” between Labour and the Jewish community by speaking directly with the Chief Rabbi rather than with the main communal organisations.
But the move, made after a meeting with Liverpool Childwall Hebrew Congregation Rabbi Martin van den Bergh at Labour conference two weeks ago, has further illustrated Labour’s attempts to sideline both groups — while attempting to drag the Chief Rabbi into a political row with the Jewish community of the party’s own making.
In a statement, the JLC attacked Mr Gardiner’s attempt to undermine the recognised communal bodies. “We should not forget that the JLC, BoD and CST set out in April the actions the Labour leadership could take to restore confidence among the Jewish community.
“We await the party taking that action to reduce antisemitism within the party.
“If the Labour leadership or Shadow Cabinet want to discuss the necessary action with the Jewish community, they should deal with the JLC and BoD directly.”
The JC understands that although Rabbi Bergh has informed the Chief Rabbi’s office of Mr Gardiner’s wish to meet, there has as yet been no direct communication from Mr Gardiner himself.
Rabbi van den Bergh told the JC: “I’ve said to the office of the Chief Rabbi that Barry would like to meet him.
“But it’s up to the Chief Rabbi if he wants to meet with Barry. I don’t want to put him in a difficult position.”
Rabbi van den Bergh, who has known the Corbyn ally since his days at Wembley United Synagogue, said he “totally opposed” attempts by the Labour leader and his allies to “circumvent the Board” in favour of pro-Corbyn organisations such as Jewish Voice For Labour.
Mr Gardiner, who is often described as Mr Corbyn’s “attack dog”, has moved increasingly to the left under the Labour leader, having previously served as a junior minister under the Tony Blair.
