Israeli ambassador attacks left’s “denial” over anti-Semitism… but Diane Abbott fights back against “smears”

The anti-Semitism row engulfing Labour took a new turn today when Israel’s ambassador to Britain said some elements of the left are “in denial” about prejudice against Jews.

Mark Regev said the language used in the past two weeks had been “very concerning” and said some Labour figures had crossed from simply being critical of the Israeli government to “demonising and vilifying” the Jewish state, and perpetuating racist stereotypes.

His intervention came as Diane Abbott came out fighting against “smears” against Labour.

Today Regev told the Andrew Marr Show: “There’s a difference between legitimate criticism and hate speech”, he told the Andrew Marr Show.

“Just as there’s no justification for hating blacks or hating homosexuals, there’s no justification for hating Jews and that is the red line that simply can’t be crossed.”

Regev was speaking just a day after Israeli Labour leader Isaac Herzog described Ken Livingstone’s comments as “horrific”.

Corbyn has repeatedly condemned anti-Semitism and on Friday night launched an “action plan” to deal with the prejudice, as well as an independent inquiry.

Regev’s intervention came as:

• Diane Abbott described claims Labour has a problem with anti-Semitism as a smear but said Livingstone’s remarks had been “extremely offensive”. She told the BBC: “It’s something of a smear against ordinary party members to say the party has a problem with anti-Semitism”.
• John Mann, who confronted Livingstone on Thursday, vowed to go to the police over “specific threats of physical violence” by left-wingers, the Sunday Times reported.
• Sadiq Khan admitted the new row generated by Livingstone had harmed his chances of winning the London mayoralty because it made harder for Jews to “feel that the Labour party is a place for them”.
• Rumours increased of a coup attempt against Corbyn if Livingstone – suspended last week – was re-admitted to Labour or if the Out campaign triumphed in the EU referendum.
• Rupa Huq said earlier this year that Corbyn’s age meant he would not stay as leader until 2020, the Mail on Sunday reported.
• John McDonnell called on Livingstone to apologise. It has been a “dreadful week” for Labour, the shadow Chancellor told Sky News.