Jeremy Corbyn apologises for Labour anti-Semitism
Leader acknowledges scale of problem and vows to take action and rebuild trust with Jewish community

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has admitted for the first time the problem and scale of anti-Semitism within his party, as he looks to draw a line under the row that has dogged his leadership and threatens to harm his party at the ballot box.
Speaking before a much-anticipated meeting with Jewish leaders, the Labour leader also appeared to criticise elements of the Palestinian movement for anti-Semitism for the first time, “in one of the most significant breaks from his supporters”, says The Times.
In a sign that the recent row over anti-Semitism in the party risks harming its chances in next week’s local elections, Corbyn’s election campaign chief, Andrew Gwynne, reiterated his leader’s comments. He said Labour members must acknowledge that the party has an issue with anti-Semitism and work to rebuild trust with the Jewish community.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Writing in the London Evening Standard, Corbyn described anti-Semitism as a “poison that must be challenged wherever it raises its head” and admitted that while Labour has “a long and proud record of standing against anti-Semitism”, the party “must also face the uncomfortable fact that a small number of our members and supporters hold anti-Semitic views and attitudes, which need to be confronted and dealt with more rapidly and effectively”.
Claiming the party was already “taking action” and had suspended more than 20 individuals from party membership pending investigation, he also admitted Labour had “not done enough to get to grips with the problem” and said the Jewish community and Jewish party members deserved an apology.
While acknowledging that “acceptance of a problem is, of course, only the first step to achieving a solution”, the Standard’s editorial nevertheless said Corbyn’s admission that his party had failed to do enough to root out anti-Semitism within its ranks “amounts to a welcome recognition of the scale of a problem that, for too long, has cast an unfortunate cloud over Labour’s reputation”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
The pros and cons of banning cellphones in classrooms
Pros and cons The devices could be major distractions
-
Art review: Lorna Simpson: Source Notes
Feature Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, through Nov. 2
-
The runners and riders for the Labour deputy leadership
The Explainer Race to replace Angela Rayner likely to come down to Starmer loyalist vs. soft-left MP supported by backbenchers and unions
-
How should Keir Starmer right the Labour ship?
Today's Big Question Rightward shift on immigration and welfare not the answer to 'haemorrhaging of hope, trust and electoral support'
-
'Three Pads' Rayner: a housing hypocrite?
Talking Point As real estate moguls go, the Deputy PM is 'hardly Donald Trump'
-
Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?
An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
-
'Fossil-fired grids have provided a cautionary tale'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Are we facing a summer of riots?
Today's Big Question Anti-immigrant unrest in Essex has sparked fears of a summer of disorder
-
Who stands to gain – and lose – from 16-year-old voters?
Today's Big Question Many assume Labour will benefit but move could 'backfire' if Greens, a new hard-left party or Reform continue to pick up momentum
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance