Lord Sacks said Mr Corbyn comments are the most divisive, hateful and, like Powell’s speech, it undermines the existence of an entire group of British citizens by depicting them as essentially alien. The latest condemnation deepens the crisis that has engulfed the Labour leader since his remarks at a pro-Palestinian event five years ago emerged last week.
Some Labour MPs reacted with horror, while Helen Grant, the Conservative MP, reported him to the parliamentary standards watchdog. Sputnik spoke to Political Consultant Annika Rothstein about the latest around Jeremy Corbyn.
Annika Rothstein: I thought it was extremely poignant, Rabbi Sacks is known for being a very measured man, and he’s not one for hyperbolise. His words carry a lot of weight, they always do, but in this case it was a timely commenting what is a dire situation for British Jews.
Sputnik: What do you make of the whole situation surrounding Jeremy Corbyn?
Annika Rothstein: I’m somewhat shocked, and I don’t say that often when it comes to Europe’s Jews, I’ve become cynic when it comes to the topic.
What I’m shocked by is he keeps upping the ante and he’s able to say worse and worse things with little to no push back and the fact he himself doesn’t recognise the problem.
Sputnik: Because of his lack of action, is this the end for him as leader of the labour party?
Annika Rothstein: For sure he should step down, that has been the case for a long time, but the fact he hasn’t and the fact that I can’t say unequivocal yes it’s impossible for him to become Prime Minister, that’s scary to me, because I just don’t know.
I’m not sure he’s made it impossible, I’m not sure people are sufficiently outraged over his anti-Semitic comments for him to be disqualified from that position.
Of course he should step down, there are a number of online petitions demanding him to do so, but I don’t see enough pushback and I’m scared to say that there seems to be something bigger at play here than just Jeremy Corbyn as he’s been able to do one thing after another.If it’s honouring dead terrorists or saying these incredible offensive about British Jews.
Views and opinions expressed in this article are those of Annika Rothstein and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.