Jeremy Corbyn has made a statement today, concerning the unprecedented remark of Chief Rabbi of Britain, Ephraim Mirvis, at the commencement of Labour’s campaign race and manifesto in Tottenham.

Chief Rabbi has stated earlier on Monday, claiming that the party was ‘incompatible’ with British principles and the ‘soul of the nation’ is on the line at the general election. He further added the majority of British Jews were ‘stricken with anxiety’ prior to the general election, which will be held on 12 December. 

The Chief Rabbi’s intervention in the general election is without precedent. I find it heartbreaking, as a Jew, that the rabbi who by convention is seen as the figurehead of the Jewish community, feels compelled to write this about Labour and its leader. I am not… https://t.co/Or0K1UFSth pic.twitter.com/It3c064AZH

— Robert Peston (@Peston) November 25, 2019

Mr Corbyn has responded in his speech at the launch, saying: “Anti-Semitism in any form is ‘vile’ and ‘wrong’. It is an evil in our society.” And Chief Rabbi is ‘very welcome’ to discuss any rising concerns about Labour’s dealing with anti-semitism.  

‘There is no place, whatsoever, for anti-Semitism in any shape or form’@jeremycorbyn appears to address a warning by the @chiefrabbi about anti-Semitism within the Labour Party https://t.co/YwuYdd80CA pic.twitter.com/SKwnw5l4oS

— ITV News (@itvnews) November 26, 2019

On top of Chief Rabbi’s statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, backed his statement via his tweet. He said Chief Rabbi’s unprecedented statement is enough to show his devastation and fear, which is collectively felt by Britain’s Jewish community.

That the Chief Rabbi should be compelled to make such an unprecedented statement at this time ought to alert us to the deep sense of insecurity and fear felt by many British Jews: pic.twitter.com/DNxr0Qxht5

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 26, 2019

The Muslim Council of Britain has supported Mr Mirvis: “Racism wherever it comes from – whether from the left or the right – is unacceptable and not enough is being done. We agree with the Chief Rabbi’s observation that ‘some politicians have shown courage but too many have sat silent’.

Besides their criticism on the Labour, they also demanded attention on the Conservative party allowing Islamophobia, to “fester in society and fail to put in place the measures necessary to root out this type of racism”.

Despite wherever their religious faiths lay, a cross-unification of religions has strengthened Chief Rabbi’s assertion.

Words: Kim Se Hee

Photo: Reuters