Mayor of London Sadiq Khan voices concern about antisemitism at packed Jewish Labour Movement rally

JLM's National Chair Mike Katz began the near two hour long rally by introducing Rabbi Hershel Rader, who drew applause after blowing the shofar at one stage.

JLM Parliamentary chair Ruth Smeeth told the audience: "This isn’t a fight for Jews in the Labour Part or for equality in the party - this is a fight for the Labour Party.”

She spoke of her pride at being about to speak at the event in front of her family, but also of her sadness that ex-JLM parliamentary chair Luciana Berger had been driven out of the party.

Dame Margaret Hodge drew loud cheers as she said: “I’m not going to give up until Jeremy Corbyn ceases to be leader of the Labour Party.”

The Barking MP expressed anger about the growing similarity of extreme right and left ideology.

She added that antisemitism was “just one element that reflects the culture of the politics of the hard left approach to the world.

“It’s a culture that’s characterised by a complete intolerance of anyone that doesn’t share their view.”

Dame Margaret also admitted she had faced difficult conversations about why she remained in Labour but insisted it was "brave to stay" and fight in the same way those who had walked out on the party were also "brave."

Mr Khan highlighted Labour's failure to tackle anti-Jewish racism in the same way it did other forms of discrimination.

He said: “To me – racism is racism, there are no shades. 

"Antisemitism is racism, and my concern about our party is that there appears to a hierarchy when it comes to racism.” 

Walthamstow MP Ms Creasy, in a clear reference to speeches made by Mr Corbyn, highlighted the failings of those who are quick to make an historical association with the anti-fascist movement of Cable Street in the East End but who "forget how we got there in the first place."

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield admitted that attending JLM rallies left her being attacked her activists in her own local party - but said it was "disgusting" more Labour MPs had not supported their Jewish colleagues.

In his speech Mr Akehurst typified the mood of many in the shul when he said that he had come close to leaving the Labour Party over antisemitism but still held out some hope that the current leadership could be toppled.

But Nathan Yeowill, the new director of the moderate Labour group Progress, cited the recent poll which revealed that “66 per cent of Labour Party members do not think we have a problem with antisemitism”.

Applause followed the blowing of the shofar by local rabbi, Hershel Rader, who was introduced at the start of the near-two hour rally by JLM national chair  Mike Katz.

 Leeds MP Alex Sobel and the MEP Seb Dance also spoke at the event, along with Miriam Mirwitch, the Young Labour chair, and Rania Ramli of the recently disbanded Labour Students.

On Saturday at Labour Conference, a succession of JLM officials had spoken in a debate on a rule change around antisemitism cases.

The Labour leadership had approved a new fast-track system for complaints of a serious nature that would bypass the existing disciplinary body.

They argued it would make it quicker to expel members for serious cases of antisemitism.

Mr Katz was among those to express fear that the rule change, which was passed, would only hand more control of the process to Mr Corbyn and his allies.

JLM national secretary Peter Mason was re-elected on to Labour/s national constitutional committee (NCC).