TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Israel’s Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay made the announcement in a letter to his British counterpart on Tuesday, saying that his party could not maintain relations with Corbyn and his office amid allegations he allowed for the “anti-Semitic statements and actions” in his party as well as showing “hatred” towards Israel’s policies.
“It is my responsibility to acknowledge the hostility you have shown to the Jewish community and the anti-Semitic statements and actions you have allowed as leader of the Labour Party UK,” Gabbay wrote in the letter to Corbyn.
“While there are many areas where our respective parties can and will cooperate, we cannot retain relations with you, leader of Labour Party UK, while you fail to adequately address the anti-Semitism within Labour Party UK,” he noted.
Gabbay added that the British Labour Party leader had shown “very public hatred” towards Israeli policies, including those where the opposition and the ruling coalition are aligned.
“As such, I write to inform you of the temporary suspension of all formal relations between the Israel Labour party and the leader of the Labour Party UK,” he wrote.
Gabbay stressed that the suspension was “temporary” and only applied to relations with Corbyn and his office, not with the entire British Labour Party.
Last month, the Jewish Leadership Council called the British Labour Party leader a “figurehead” for anti-Semitism because of his strong criticism of Israel for its oppressive policies against Palestinians.
Relations between the two parties have deteriorated since Corbyn became leader in September 2015.
As a veteran peace activist, Corbyn has long been critical of London's involvement in US-led wars across the world and its support of Israel in its unending oppression against Palestinians.
Corbyn has stood up for Palestine and Palestinian rights and has been a strong advocate against Britain’s foreign wars in the Middle East.
Source: Press TV