(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Jeremy Corbyn has said he will meet the two largest Jewish communal bodies 'without any preconditions, pledging to hear their concerns about tackling anti-semitism in the Labour party.
In a letter to the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, the Labour leader said he accepted 'my responsibility to give a strong and continuing personal lead.
Writing to the JLC chair, Jonathan Goldstein, and BoD president, Jonathan Arkush, Corbyn said he accepted the organisations' agenda for the meeting.
'I place no limitations on the points you would wish to raise and am happy for the agenda to cover the issues you've already outlined, he wrote.
'I appreciate and understand the anger you express and reiterate my determination to fight anti-semitism within the Labour party and society at large … I recommit to doing all I can to address the anguish and distress caused to many people in the Jewish community.
'I would welcome an early meeting with your organisations to discuss the issues that you have raised. I am a strong believer that engaging in meaningful dialogue is crucial to finding effective solutions and resolving disputes and I am clear that such a meeting would be just the start of a fruitful ongoing exchange on eradicating anti-semitic behaviour and discourse within the Labour party.
Arkush and Goldstein had written to Corbyn after the Enough is Enough demonstrations sparked by concern that the party was failing to tackle anti-semitism from some members. The Labour leader had initially offered a meeting, but organisers were understood to have felt wary of accepting unless a plan of action was in place.
The organisations proposed an agenda, which Corbyn has accepted, that centred on the need for personal leadership from him to tackle the issue, swift action on outstanding anti-semitism disciplinary cases and a programme of education for party members.
It also suggested public engagement with the Jewish communities' main representative groups and 'not through fringe organisations who wish to obstruct the party's efforts to tackle anti-semitism.
The Jewish Chronicle reported that the organisations believed it would be 'churlish not to accept Corbyn's response and that a meeting would take place.
The JLC acts as an umbrella organisation for major British Jewish institutions. It also has representation from the main Jewish charities and some pro-Israel organisations.
The BoD is an elected Jewish communal body made up of 300 deputies elected by synagogue memberships across the country, as well as other organisations including the Union of Jewish Students. Deputies then elect its president and vice-presidents.
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