As Labour takes the reins of power following a decisive electoral victory, questions linger about the party's position on Israel and its relationship with the Jewish community. Keir Starmer's leadership has marked a significant shift from the Corbyn era, but challenges and uncertainties remain.
Since becoming Labour leader, Starmer has made combating antisemitism a cornerstone of his agenda. His early actions included apologizing to the Jewish community and vowing to eradicate antisemitism from the party's ranks. These efforts bore fruit in February 2023 when the Equality and Human Rights Commission lifted its special measures on Labour, signaling progress in addressing institutional antisemitism.
However, recent events have shown that the party still grapples with antisemitism-related issues. The Rochdale by-election controversy, where Labour initially backed a candidate who made antisemitic comments, raised concerns about the consistency of the party's approach to Jew-hate.
Labour's electoral performance in areas with large Muslim populations, where it lost significant ground to pro-Palestinian candidates, may put additional pressure on the party's Israel policy. The new government will need to navigate these competing interests carefully.
On broader security issues affecting Jewish interests, Labour intends to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and update counter-terror strategies to address state-based threats more effectively.
Education is a major concern. Labour's plan to remove VAT exemptions for independent schools could significantly impact Jewish schools. Many of these institutions, which serve around 20,000 Jewish children, may struggle financially under the new policy. Raisel Freedman of PaJeS has warned that if these schools are forced to close, many Jewish families would be left without culturally and religiously appropriate educational options.
On community security, Labour has pledged to maintain the Conservative government's level of funding for the Community Security Trust (CST). This commitment is crucial for protecting Jewish institutions and events across the UK. The party has also promised to reverse changes to hate crime reporting guidance, potentially leading to more rigorous monitoring of antisemitic incidents.
Regarding antisemitism within the party, while Keir Starmer has made efforts to address this issue, concerns persist. The handling of recent incidents, such as the Rochdale by-election controversy, suggests that the party's approach to antisemitism may still be inconsistent. How Labour deals with such issues while in government will be closely watched by the Jewish community.
Labour's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict could also affect UK Jews. While the party supports Israel's right to self-defense, it has increasingly called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The party's manifesto advocates for recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution. These positions, and how they evolve in response to events and internal party pressure, may influence the relationship between the government and parts of the Jewish community.
As Labour transitions from opposition to government, its approach to Israel and Jewish issues will face increased scrutiny. While Starmer has made significant strides in rebuilding trust with the Jewish community, the complexities of governing may test the party's commitments and resolve.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Labour can balance its various constituencies' demands while maintaining its pledges to support Jewish interests and foster a balanced approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. For many in the Jewish community and beyond, the proof will be in the policies and actions of the new Labour government.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.
