Read this week's LFI Key Issues Analysis on new @UKLabour leader @Keir_Starmer's first steps to tackle antisemitism in the party and @_LFI's response.

https://www.lfi.org.uk/starmer-tackling-antisemitism-a-moral-imperative/

Summary thread below

@Keir_Starmer has underlined his determination to begin the process of ridding the Labour party of antisemitism with a series of moves in his first days as leader. Keir’s actions were welcomed by the new chair of Labour Friends of Israel, @steve_mccabe

Writing in the JC, McCabe pledged LFI’s support and suggested: “As Keir knows, repairing the damage wrought during the past five years is not something that can be achieved overnight. It will be a long process and it will require dedication, determination and focus."

In his online victory speech, Keir issued an apology to the Jewish community for the Labour antisemitism crisis, saying it has been “a stain on our party”. He said that he would “judge success by the return of Jewish members”.

Keir’s first television interview on Sunday saw the new Labour leader suggest that a key test of his drive to tackle antisemitism will be the return to the party of former LFI chair @LouiseEllman. She quit Labour last autumn over the antisemitism crisis

A video call between Keir, @BoardofDeputies, @JewishLabour, @JLC_uk and @CST was swiftly held on Tuesday. After the call, the communal leaders said Keir had “already achieved in four days more than his predecessor in four years in addressing antisemitism within the Labour party”

Also writing for the JC, Keir said the fight against antisemitism was “a moral imperative, not a political one” and acknowledged the scale of the problem within the party. “We have to be honest that this a cultural problem and only by listening and learning can we change that”

In his JC article, McCabe vowed that LFI would back Keir in his effort. “I intend that we should do all that we can to assist Keir in the vital work ahead,” he suggested. McCabe laid out three early steps that LFI will work with Keir to achieve:

1) Swift implementation of the EHRC's findings
2) The establishment of a fully independent complaints procedure & moves to purge antisemites from Labour
3) The removal from positions of power & influence within Labour of all those who have protected & excused antisemites

McCabe made clear the need to root out anti-Zionist antisemitism from the party. “Anti-Zionist antisemitism is at the heart of the crisis which has afflicted Labour over the past 4 years. Any strategy to truly rid the party of the stain of antisemitism must recognise that fact"

“No Jewish member will feel comfortable sitting in local Labour party meetings while a small number of cranks and bigots loudly proclaim their views about Jews, Israel and Zionism at every opportunity,” LFI’s chair wrote. https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/with-starmer-labour-can-return-to-being-a-balanced-voice-on-the-middle-east-1.498923

McCabe’s article set out how LFI will work with Keir, the new shadow foreign secretary, @lisanandy, and the party’s frontbench team to begin the “intellectual renewal of Labour’s foreign policy agenda”. The LFI chair outlined three broad steps:

1) Recommit Labour to the search for a two-state solution for two peoples
2) Work to build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians and vigorously oppose the divisive BDS movement
3) Celebrate the burgeoning economic, cultural and security ties between Britain and Israel

But, McCabe argued, Labour also needs to develop a “progressive policy agenda” for the wider Middle East, too, if it is to be seen as a “credible party of government” once again

“From the threat of Iranian expansionism to terrorism, the rights of women and minorities & the new relationships being forged between Israel and many of the Gulf Arab states, we need to start thinking seriously again about the changes and challenges which will shape the region"

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