The National Jewish Assembly is appalled by the ignorant and insensitive comments made by Diane Abbott, who claimed that Jews have not experienced racism. Her words are a blatant denial of the experiences of Jewish people throughout history and present-day society. The NJA strongly condemns her remarks and commends the Labour party for immediately suspending Abbott from the party whip.
Abbott’s attempt to compare the experiences of Jewish people with those of people with red hair is not only absurd but deeply offensive. It shows a lack of understanding and empathy for the suffering and discrimination that Jewish people have faced for centuries. It is unacceptable for a member of parliament to make such comments and diminish the experiences of a minority community.
The NJA urges the Labour party to take further action to censure or remove Diane Abbott from the party. Her comments are not only insensitive but also harmful to the Jewish community, and she should not be allowed to represent the party in any capacity.
The NJA is concerned that the scourge of antisemitism appears to have not yet been completely expunged from the Labour party. It is essential that the party continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism.
The NJA welcomes Abbott’s apology for her comments, but finds it entirely unconvincing. The remarks she made in her letter were not merely typos or a slip of the tongue, but rather a deliberate attempt to downplay the experiences of discrimination faced by Jewish people. The NJA calls on her to take further steps to make amends to the Jewish community for her harmful rhetoric and to show that she understands the gravity of the situation.
It is essential that the Labour party continues to make progress in rooting out antisemitism from its ranks. The suspension of Diane Abbott is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address this issue. The National Jewish Assembly stands ready to work with the Labour party and other organizations to combat antisemitism and all forms of racism in society.
For further inquiries, please contact Heath Sloane – NJA Press and Marketing Manager (heath@nja.org.uk)
