Jeremy Corbyn was accused of comparing Israel to Islamic State today in a speech condemning anti-Semitism.
At the launch of a report into allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, Mr Corbyn stressed that no form of racism was acceptable.
But he added: “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslims friends are for those various self-styled Islamic states or organisations.”
His words sparked immediate controversy.
But his spokesman strongly denied that he was making a comparison between Islamic State and Israel.
“He was explicitly stating that people should not be held responsible for the actions of states or organisations around the world on the basis of religion or ethnicity,” he said.
There were also claims that a Jewish MP, Ruth Smeeth, was verbally attacked by a Momentum supporter at the event in London.
The inquiry, chaired by former Liberty boss Shami Chakrabarti, found that the Labour Party is not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism but there is an “occasionally toxic atmosphere”.
The probe followed the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone amid anti-Semitism claims, which they both deny.
Mr Corbyn stressed “The Labour Party will not allow hateful language online or anyway else.
“Racism is racism is racism. There is no hierarchy, no acceptable form of it."
