United Kingdom Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn declined to apologize to Jewish people in Britain for the anti-Semitic rhetoric that has engulfed his party.
Corbyn’s decision not to apologize came in a Tuesday interview with Andrew Neil of the BBC. The interview took place a day after Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi in the U.K., argued that Corbyn’s handling of the allegations of anti-Semitism make him unfit to be prime minister.
During one part of the interview, Neil asked Corbyn four different times if he should apologize, but he declined.
“What I’ll say is this: I am determined that our society will be safe for people of all faiths. I don’t want anyone to be feeling insecure in our society. And our government will protect every community — ” Corbyn said, but Neil interrupted him and said, “So, no apology?”
Corbyn continued his sentence, ” — against the abuse they receive on the streets, on the trains, or in any other — ” but Neil interjected again to repeat his question. The Labour Party leader picked up where he left off: ” — in any other form of life,” but Neil stopped him a third time.
“No, hang on a minute, Andrew, can I explain what we’re trying to do?” Corbyn said.
Neil pushed back, explaining that Corbyn had addressed that and adding, “I asked you if you wanted to apologize, and you haven’t.”
The interviewer then tried pivoting the conversation to Brexit, but Corbyn said, “Well, hang on, can I just make it clear racism in our society is a total poison?”
The Labour Party has been engulfed by a long-running accusation of anti-Semitism, which has led nine MPs and three peers to leave the party, including Ken Livingstone and Chris Williamson. A number of leaders within the party were accused of trying to hinder an investigation into the matter, according to a BBC report from the summer. Despite this, Corbyn has maintained his belief that his party does not condone or push anti-Semitism.
