Jeremy Corbyn “capitulated” over the definition of antisemitism while leader of the Labour party, fellow MP Zarah Sultana has said.
Former Labour MPs Corbyn and Sultana launched a new political party less than a month ago, saying it would change politics, and oppose government policy on Gaza.
Speaking to the New Left Review, Sultana praised Corbynism’s mass appeal, but said he “capitulated” to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, saying it “equates it with anti-Zionism”.
Facing criticism from Jewish groups, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews calling her words “a grave insult”, Sultana posted on social media that she was a proud anti-Zionist.
Asked how the new party would adapt the model of radical politics Corbynism set out a decade ago, Sultana said he had made “a serious mistake” in being too conciliatory.
She said: “We have to build on the strengths of Corbynism – its energy, mass appeal and bold policy platform – and we also have to recognise its limitations.
“It capitulated to the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which famously equates it with anti-Zionism, and which even its lead author Kenneth Stern has now publicly criticised.”
Sultana added the movement was “frightened and far too conciliatory” when it was attacked and should have recognised that the state and the media “are our class enemies” because, she said, “you cannot give these people an inch”.
In 2018, Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, agreed to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism into its code of conduct, after months of rows.
At the time, Jewish groups attacked an accompanying statement saying “this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians”.
The IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism is the internationally accepted standard definition, adopted by the government and most British institutions.
In the guidance on its application, it includes holding Jews responsible for Israel’s actions, and comparing its policies to those of the Nazis, as antisemitic acts.
Kenneth Stern, who was one of the people involved in drafting the definition, has since criticised how it has been used, including in the UK, to chill free speech, arguing that “anti-Zionists have a right to free expression”.
However, Labour Against Antisemitism co-director Alex Hearn said Sultana’s objection to the definition of antisemitism was “unsurprising given her history”, dismissing her as an “extremist”.
“Without a proper definition, the unlawful harassment suffered by Jews could continue unabated, as it did during Corbyn’s tenure of the Labour Party,” Mr Hearn said.
“The three authors of the IHRA definition have stated that Kenneth Stern was not even an author, let alone ‘lead author’.
“Exaggerating his role is a tactic to give undue weight to his controversial views.”
Mr Hearn added he hoped Sultana would “remain on the fringes of politics for the remainder of her career, which is where her extremist views belong”.
The vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Andrew Gilber, said the definition was also “supported by the overwhelming majority of British Jews as it is clear and measured in defining antisemitism”.
“Calling the recognition of the IHRA definition of antisemitism a ‘capitulation’ is a grave insult,” he said.
“Labour’s real betrayal under Corbyn was unlawfully harassing and discriminating against Jews.
“Those who seek to delegitimise and mis-define the IHRA definition in this way prove themselves to be no friend to the Jewish community and also call into question their wider commitment to anti-racism, the wellbeing of the Jewish community and social cohesion.”
Responding to the criticism, Sultana posted on X rejecting “smears” and challenging journalists to print that she is “loudly and proudly… an anti-Zionist”.
In a second post she added: “Legacy media are not our allies. They are the mouthpiece of the ruling class.
“And how many of them have spoken out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the direct targeting of Palestinian journalists?
“You cannot give these people an inch. Their smears won’t work this time.”
Corbyn’s rejection of the IHRA definition was a defining factor in his political downfall from the Labour Party, despite his popularity with many on the left of the party.
After stepping down as party leader following his second general election defeat in 2019, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigated the party’s handling of complaints under his leadership.
But Corbyn rejected the human rights watchdog’s critical findings that there had been three breaches of the Equality Act during his tenure, claiming complaints had been “dramatically overstated” by political opponents.
His successor Sir Keir Starmer suspended him from the party and Labour’s ruling NEC later banned him from standing for the party in the 2024 general election, leading to him standing as an independent MP.
A Labour source said: “The electorate has twice made their view clear about a Jeremy Corbyn-led party.
“Keir Starmer’s Labour Party rightly tore antisemitism out at its roots. Corbyn almost led the party to extinction. We’re not going back.”