This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
As the UK prepares to go to the polls, anti-Semitism allegations have sparked fear and division in the country's Jewish communities.
Labour Party candidate Kal-Weiss, who is also Jewish, has spoken out about the rift between her party and the Jewish community, describing it as 'very painful'.
Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis made an unprecedented intervention last month, urging followers to vote with their conscience and warning that the 'very soul of our nation is at stake'.
Conspiracy Theories ¶
The Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) has accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of anti-Semitic behaviour, citing 22 examples of alleged abuse at party meetings.
Corbyn has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying he 'abhors' anti-Semitism and that the accusations stem from his opposition to Israel's actions against the Palestinians.
Difficult Choices ¶
Labour candidate Kal-Weiss admitted that her party had 'underestimated the in-built fear' within the Jewish community.
Local voters in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency in northwest London have expressed their concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism, with one voter saying, 'This is how it started in Germany.'
Least Worst Option? ¶
For those who fear a 'right-wing' Brexit, picking a candidate is particularly difficult, as Labour represents the only realistic chance of reversing the 2016 referendum result.
