Current co-leader of “Your Party,” Zarah Sultana, has declared herself a “loud and proud anti-Zionist” shortly after confessing that Jeremy Corbyn had “capitulated” over an Israel lobby-backed definition of antisemitism while leader of the Labour Party.
In a recent interview with the New Left Review, the independent MP for Coventry South, praised Corbyn’s mass appeal, but admitted he “capitulated” to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s IHRA definition of antisemitism, saying it “equates it with anti-Zionism.”
“We have to build on the strengths of Corbynism. Its energy, mass appeal and bold policy platform and we also have to recognise its limitations. It capitulated to the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which famously equates it with anti-Zionism, and which even its lead author Kenneth Stern has now publicly criticised.”
Sultana added the movement was “frightened and far too conciliatory” when it was attacked and should have recognised that the state and the media “are our class enemies” because, she said, “you cannot give these people an inch.”
Responding to an article by the right-wing paper The Telegraph, Sultana posted on X: “The smears won’t work this time. I say it loudly and proudly: I’m an anti-Zionist. Print that.”
A journalist, Oliver Kamm, then called Sultana an antisemite on X, leading her to respond: “Delete and apologise, otherwise you better lawyer up. Anti-Zionism is not Antisemitism. The smears won’t work this time.”
The comments by Sultana are a strong sign that she intends to implement a passionate anti-Zionist identity within the new party and has acknowledged the mistakes of the Corbyn-run Labour Party which came under intense attack by pro-Israel forces on allegations of antisemitism, assisting in Corbyn’s downfall as leader.
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The two former Labour MPs – Corbyn and Sultana – launched a new political party less than a month ago, saying it would change politics, and oppose government policy on Gaza.
The row over antisemitism during Corbyn’s stint as leader forced the party to begin what has since been described as a purge of the party’s pro-Palestine membership.
Key allies of Corbyn who were expelled or investigated during this period have described the experience as a “witch hunt” against pro-Palestine socialists.
Jackie Walker, Marc Wadsworth, former Labour London Mayor Ken Livingstone and former Labour Shadow Minister Chris Williamson are among some prominent names of anti-Zionist Corbyn allies who were brought down amid antisemitism accusations during Corbyn’s term as leader.
Many still complain about Corbyn’s weak leadership in tackling alleged politicised antisemitism accusations amid claims that antisemitism was being weaponised by pro-Israel forces. Corbyn and other senior Labour figures were reluctant to defend or support allies such as Livingstone who were accused antisemitism when criticising Israel or Zionism.
The controversial IHRA definition
The IHRA definition of antisemitism is a controversial definition which is backed by pro-Israel forces as it condemns those who question Israel’s “right to exist” or call it “racist.”
It states: “Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish
community institutions and religious facilities.”
However, the IHRA then goes onto give examples of what may constitute anti-Semitism, some of which may be highly contentious. These include:
- The targeting of the Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.
- Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of Nazis.
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of Israel is a racist endeavor.
Many pro-Palestinian activists in the UK and around the world believe that Israel has no right to exist in its present form.
This is because, they argue, Israel is an Apartheid State which stole Palestinian land through ethnic cleansing and has sustained itself since through brutality, occupation and war.
These activists also say that Israel is a racist entity because of its exclusivist nature and its treatment of non-Jews. And they would prefer Israel to be replaced by a secular, democratic or Islamic state.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews vice-president Andrew Gilbert had responded to Sultana’s comments, insisting: “The IHRA definition has been adopted by the Government and public institutions in this country and around the world, and is supported by the overwhelming majority of British Jews as it is clear and measured in defining antisemitism.
“Calling the recognition of the IHRA definition of antisemitism a ‘capitulation’ is a grave insult.”
