“These leaks are extremely distressing to read,” says Goldsmiths University Jewish Society.
The Sunday Times obtained files that have amplified accusations of anti-semitism leveled against the Labour Party. These documents show that the party has been overwhelmed with complaints about anti-Semitic racism, accusations that have been left unresolved for months and even years.
These complaints “have led to little or no punishments/sanctions” say the Sunday Times for members of the Labour Party. Fifty out of 100 anti-semitism cases in the past year have resulted only in a warning or no further action.
John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor for the Labour Party, commented that the number of outstanding official complaints against the Labour Party was below 130.
When asked for a comment, the Goldsmiths Univerity’s Jewish Society said they find these leaked files “extremely distressing”.
They also added that “Any and all students should know that our door is always open for them to voice their concerns.”
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, has often had to defend allegations of antisemitism against himself and the Labour Party. When asked by Andrew Neill of the BBC if he would like to ‘apologise to the Jewish community for what has happened’, Corbyn avoided the question four times and did not offer an apology.
The Jewish community has been significantly affected by allegations of anti-semitism within the Labour Party. A March 2019 survey stated that 87 percent of British people of Jewish faith believe Jeremy Corbyn to be antisemitic.
Accusations of antisemitism within the Labour Party have persisted for over three years when Corbyn announced an independent inquiry into the matter.
Since then, Labour has had high-profile cases within the party for alleged anti-semitic comments, including the suspension of MP Naz Shah, MP Chris Williamson and the former mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
These leaked files come at a crucial time for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party, with the UK heading towards a general election on the 12th of December.