Labour MP Catherine West has said it is a matter of “deep shame” that Jews can no longer support the party because of its antisemitism crisis.
“It is very clear that Labour has to do more and it has to do it quickly,” the pro-Jeremy Corbyn MP told the JC.
"To hear Jewish members and previous supporters speak of their hurt and anger and how they can no longer support the party is a matter of deep shame.
"Labour cannot be an anti-racist movement unless we have zero tolerance for antisemitism. That is what I will keep pushing for."
Her comments were in an email she sent after the JC asked why she had not signed a letter calling for controversial MP Chris Williamson to be re-suspended by the party.
Mr Williamson briefly had the whip returned last week after he was suspended for saying the party had been "too apologetic" over antisemitism. He was re-suspended after just 48 hours.
Rabbi David Mason of Muswell Hill United Synagogue, and Rabbi Nicky Liss of Highgate United Synagogue, had asked Ms West why she had not signed the letter, organised by deputy leader Tom Watson on Thursday which called for Mr Corbyn to remove the whip from Mr Williamson.
Ms West, who represents Hornsey and Wood Green, said that she was away when MPs were being asked to sign it.
She said: “His comments suggesting the party had ‘given too much ground, we’ve been too apologetic’ showed a complete lack of awareness of the impact of antisemitism on the Jewish community and the poor handling of complaints regarding antisemitism in the Labour Party.”
The MP told the JC she backed the original decision to suspend Mr Williamson and “believes it is right that he remains suspended.”
She said members have since asked her if she would retrospectively sign the letter and whilst she said agreed with the “sentiments” of the letter she was “uncomfortable at the suggestion that the Leader should personally overturn individual decisions as I fear that would create a worrying precedent.”
She reiterated calls for a “truly independent process, accountable, open to scrutiny and free of political interference. This shouldn’t just be for cases of antisemitism; it should also cover sexual harassment complaints and allegations of bullying.”
