A Jewish member of Labour’s governing body has accused the outgoing president of the Board of Deputies of undermining the “fight against antisemitism” by attacking Jeremy Corbyn.
Writing for the JC, Rhea Wolfson attacks Mr Arkush’s claims that Mr Corbyn has "problematic" and "antisemitic" views that could drive Jews to leave Britain if he becomes prime minister.
Mr Arkush, who stands down on Friday, told the Daily Telegraph this week that British Jews were asking: “Do we have a future here?”
He said: “Delegitimising the state of Israel is antisemitic.
“[Mr Corbyn] was a chairman of Stop the War, which is responsible for some of the worst anti-Israel discourse.
“If he shares the prevalent discourse about Israel, then that view is unquestionably antisemitic.”
He said Mr Corbyn must say he “will not accept a discourse which denies the existence of their own land to the Jewish people. I think we are all entitled to some clarity on his real views about Israel”.
Ms Wolfson, who is a former member of the Jewish Leadership Council Board, accused Mr Arkush of conflating “antisemitism with criticisms of the Israeli government” and described his accusations as “entirely without foundation.”
She says Mr Arkush’s comments “undermined the fight against antisemitism and distract us from challenging this evil in our society".
“Arkush’s claims are entirely without foundation. The evidence he cites? Jeremy’s criticisms of the actions of the Israeli government," she writes.
“Criticising the actions of the Israeli government is not antisemitic.
“And criticising the Israeli government’s actions does not mean you are denying the right of Israel to exist.
“Jeremy has been clear that he is committed to working towards a just and viable settlement of the conflict, with a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine, as set out in Labour’s manifesto.”
In response to her article Mr Arkush said that his original comments were “carefully referencing the views of PSC and Stop the War on Israel, and Corbyn’s support for those groups.”
Mr Arkush said that when he approached Ms Wolfson on Twitter to challenge her earlier criticism of him she failed to respond.
“She said I didn’t speak for progressive people like her.
“I said that Corbyn described Hamas and Hezbollah as friends, when they are autocratic, lock up trade unionists, oppress women and persecute LGBT people.
“By contrast Israel celebrates and respects all these. So, I asked Rhea, so far without answer, I’m wondering which of us is more progressive?”
In the article, she calls Mr Corbyn “one of the most principled people in politics” and someone who has supported her when she has experienced antisemitism within the Labour Party.
“When I have faced antisemitism, whether within or outside of our movement, Jeremy has been an ally,” she writes.
“Antisemitism exists on the left, as it exists in society, but this does not mean antisemitism is more of a problem on the left.”
Ms Wolfson says Jews on the left are “struggling to find our place in the community,” due to comments made by Mr Arkush.
“We’ve found places in youth groups or other organisations or built our own communities, but now that fight is feeling insurmountable.
“Recently I’ve seen my friends cast out, subject to daily abuse and even told they just aren’t Jewish.
“This level of vitriol doesn’t allow for well-meaning or constructive conversation; without which we stand no chance of truly eradicating the evil of antisemitism in our society.”
President-elect of the Board, Marie van der Zyl, takes office on Friday.
Two weeks ago she told the JC: “I still think we are very lucky to live in the UK. Look at the position in France and other countries in Europe.
“It’s very much a matter of concern there is so much antisemitism in the Labour party, a party that could be in power. You cannot get away from that.”
But asked whether she expected her children to be packing their bags because of antisemitism, she replied, “I don’t want anybody to be packing their bags. But you can’t ignore this, it needs to be challenged.”
