Conference notes that:
- The IHRA is raised in the context of a campaign to demoralise and destroy the left, cut off solidarity with Palestine, provoke a Party split, and discredit Corbyn even comparing him to racist Tory Enoch Powell, slandering members as an “existential threat” to Jews;
- The 4th September NEC refused Corbyn’s clause defending the right to criticise Israel.
- Palestinian civil society and over 100 UK BAME groups condemned IHRA;
- Israel was founded on the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians; its institutional racism was codified on 19 July 2018 by the Knesset’s Basic Law;
- The Rule Book says, “The work of the Party shall be under the direction and control of Party conference”;
Conference believes that:
- The implementation of IHRA will end free speech on Israel/Palestine, will not placate those hostile to Corbyn and the left, will not reduce antisemitism but undermine antiracism by prioritising one form of discrimination above all others, creating divisions among us;
- Party members must be free to call Israel “a racist endeavour”;
- This must be resolved by Conference.
Conference resolves to:
- Call on the outgoing NEC to reverse its decision on IHRA and, in consultation with the Conference Arrangements Committee, to ensure time for delegates to resolve this matter on the Conference floor by vote;
- Remove IHRA from the Code of Conduct regardless of NEC recommendations;
- Promote free speech in the UK
- Continue our solidarity with the Palestinian people by endorsing BDS and calling for a two-way arms embargo.