Welsh Labour politician Rathbone let off by party after antisemitic remarks - The Jewish Chronicle

The Labour politician who was exposed by the JC for claiming Jewish people's security fears were "in their own heads" has been let off by the party without serious punishment.

Jenny Rathbone, a Welsh Assembly member, cited a "productive meeting with the Board of Deputies" in a statement released on Thursday confirming she would face no further punishment for her remarks - which included a claim that the actions of the Israeli government were to blame for rising antisemitism in the UK.

A claim that Ms Rathbone - a staunch supporter of Jeremy Corbyn - had volunteered herself for training with the Community Security Trust , which was reported by the BBC on Thursday, was denied by the communal organisation.

In a tweet they wrote: "CST would like to clarify we have had no contact with Jenny Rathbone or the Labour Party over any proposed training as claimed in this article.

"No requests for antisemitism training have been received for this or any other disciplinary case."

On Wednesday the JC revealed that Ms Rathbone had held a secret meeting with Sheila Gewolb, a Vice President of the Board of Deputies.

After today's news that Ms Rathbone had cited her "productive meeting" and been let off without serious sanction, a communal source commented that, "Hardcore anti-Jewish activists in Labour must be rubbing their hands in glee at having the Board of Deputies to speak to - if that is all it takes to get let off after making disgusting comments about Jews and antisemtism."

Labour sources told the JC that the decision to let Ms Rathbone off with a 'formal warning' was taken two weeks ago at the same meeting of the party's disciplinary committee at which ex-Scottish MP Jim Sheridan was also reinstated to the party, despite suggesting he had lost "respect and empathy" for the UK Jewish population.

In a statement on her website Jenny Rathbone said today: "The Labour Party issued me with a formal warning about the unacceptable remarks I made 15 months ago.

"I am profoundly sorry for those remarks and for the offence I caused, both to my constituents and the wider Jewish community. I have reflected deeply on my mistakes and wish to do everything I can to enhance my understanding of antisemitism in order to identify it and fight it, wherever it occurs.

"In December I had a productive meeting with a representative from the Board of Deputies. I am grateful to the Board of Deputies for this meeting - an act of generosity in difficult and trying circumstances.

"The Board's advice has helped me understand antisemitism and helped me reach out to the Jewish community."

Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, critcised the decision to let Ms Rathbone off: "Jenny Rathbone's comments about Jews' security fears being in their own heads remain utterly reprehensible. She has shown little remorse. For the Labour Party to let her off with no serious punishment is indicative of their consistent failure to take antisemitism in the party seriously. Zero tolerance should mean absolutely that.

Ms Rathbone confirmed yesterday that she had initiated the meeting with the Board “the day after” the JC published a recording in November of the Cardiff Central AM being asked about increased security measures at the city’s main synagogue.

The recording revealed she said: "The fact that the Jewish synagogue in Cyncoed is, is become one of these, you know, fortress, is really uncomfortable.

"How much of it is for real and how much of it is in their own heads is really hard for an outsider to judge, but I think siege mentalities are also part of it."

Ms Rathbone also said hostile behaviour towards Jews is driven by the behaviour of the Israeli government, and that British Jews had a "responsibility" to promote peace in the Middle East.

Rabbi Michoel Rose of Cardiff Synagogue, to whom the politician later apologised, said the comments "seemed to imply that the Jewish community in this country was to blame for violence and hatred in this country" and called them "extremely offensive".

The Jewish Labour Movement said Ms Rathbone was unfit to serve in Welsh Assembly or to remain a Labour Party member without “a full and unreserved apology”.