Theresa May vows to tackle anti-semitism as Jeremy Corbyn SHUNS Israel PM's UK visit
THERESA May will outline plans to take action against anti-Semitism at a dinner with Israel’s Prime Minister that Jeremy Corbyn has refused to attend.
Theresa May welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu to Downing Street
The Prime Minister will commit her Government to taking anti-Semitism when she welcomes the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UK.
Mr Netanyahu is visiting the UK to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration which signalled Britain’s support for the creation of a Jewish homeland.
Theresa May will use a speech at a dinner celebrating the agreement to say there are “no excuses” for hatred towards Jewish people and will vow to fight anti-Semitism.
She will say: “There is today a new and pernicious form of anti-Semitism which uses criticism of the actions of the Israeli government as a despicable justification for questioning the very right of Israel to exist.”
"This is abhorrent and we will not stand for it."
Mrs May will also express her pride at Britain’s close ties with Israel.
She will say: “We are proud to stand here today together with Prime Minister Netanyahu and declare our support for Israel. And we are proud of the relationship we have built with Israel.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will not attend the evening event citing “other engagements.”
The Labour leader has been slammed for not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism within his own party in the past.
Corbyn addresses anti-semitism at Labour event
An internal Labour report commissioned last year found that there was an “occasionally toxic atmosphere” and evidence of “ignorant attitudes” by members of the party when it came to tackling negative attitudes towards the Jewish community.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, will represent the Labour party in Mr Corbyn’s absence.
The Balfour Declaration dinner is not the first time Mr Corbyn has failed to attend an event with the Jewish community.
The Labour leader was not present at a Labour Friends of Israel event at the party's annual conference which was held in Brighton last month.
However, a Labour party spokesperson has denied that Mr Corbyn is deliberately avoiding Israel events.
They said: “Emily Thornberry is the shadow foreign secretary. Israel/Palestine is an international question.
“Jeremy did attend the Labour Friends of Israel event at the previous Labour Party conference.
“Sometimes he will attend some of these events and sometimes he won't, but Emily Thornberry leads on international issues.”