Jewish Agency Chairman Sharansky Welcomes Israeli Labour Party’s Suspension of Ties with Jeremy Corbyn

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky has issued the following statement:

“I welcome the decision by Israeli Labour Party Chairman Avi Gabbay to suspend ties with Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom, due to his hostility towards the Jewish community and his tolerance of antisemitic statements in his party.

“I presume this was not an easy decision for Mr. Gabbay to make, in light of the history of deep friendship between the two parties.

“I wholeheartedly support his decision, just as I support the Government of Israel when it is compelled by its sense of solidarity with Jewish communities to put aside immediate interests in order to adopt a firm position against parties with antisemitic pasts on the right, even when they purport to be Israel’s friends.

“Zionist parties cannot be allied with antisemitic actors – be they on the left, on the right, or in the center. I therefore believe Mr. Gabbay’s decision to be fair and just.”