Jeremy Corbyn’s new hard-left party plunged into chaos as splits emerge in bitter antisemitism row

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announce new political party |

GB NEWS

Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 18/08/2025

- 11:16

Zarah Sultana blasted the decision to accept the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism

Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party has been plunged into chaos as a bitter spat appeared to break out with his co-leader Zarah Sultana.

Ms Sultana, who last month launched the new political party alongside Mr Corbyn, condemned the disgraced former Labour leader's decision to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.


Ms Sultana said: "I think we're in a very different political moment.

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"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."

However, the IHRA definition includes "drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis", and "holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel".

Ms Sultana's outburst sparked condemnation from Jewish community leaders.

The Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Andrew Gilbert, said: "The IHRA definition has been adopted by the Government and public institutions in this country and around the world, and is supported by the overwhelming majority of British Jews as it is clear and measured in defining antisemitism.

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana

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PA

"Calling the recognition of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism a 'capitulation' is a grave insult."

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism added: "If Jews do not have the right to define the hatred that targets them, then who does? Does Zarah Sultana think that it should be herself?"

Meanwhile, Alex Hearn, the Director of Labour Against Antisemitism, said: "Zarah Sultana has fundamentally misrepresented the IHRA definition of antisemitism."

Despite being condemned by a number of leading figures from the British Jewish community, Ms Sultana fired back by accusing her critics of running a smear campaign.

Zarah SultanaZarah Sultana | PA

"The smears won’t work this time," the Coventry South MP said.

"I say it loudly and proudly: I’m an anti-Zionist. Print that."

However, it is not the first time Ms Sultana has been accused of "misunderstanding" antisemitism.

The 31-year-old has accused the Labour Right of "weaponising" antisemitism, claimed Zionists advocate "racist ideology" and appeared to compare the Holocaust to events in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Chechnya.

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn's catastrophic 2019 General Election campaign was overshadowed by allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party.

Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn

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PA

Sir Keir Starmer, who previously served as Mr Corbyn's Shadow Brexit Secretary, expelled the ex-Leader of the Opposition from his party after the Islington North MP claimed the scale of antisemitism within Labour had been "dramatically overstated".

Mr Corbyn's comment came following a damning report from the Equality & Human Rights Commission into the handling of complaints to Labour HQ about antisemitism under his leadership.

The EHRC found that Labour had breached the Equality Act by failing to provide adequate training for staff dealing with allegations of antisemitism.

It also accused Mr Corbyn's office of "political interference" when handling such complaints.

Sir Keir Starmer served as Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Brexit SecretarySir Keir Starmer served as Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Brexit Secretary | PA

However, Your Party is now being tipped to pose a huge threat to Labour, particularly in its metropolitan and liberal-leaning heartlands.

Sources close to the ex-Labour leader even believe that Your Party could topple Sir Keir in his seat of Holborn & St Pancras.

A Corbyn ally told GB News: "At the last election, Starmer lost almost 20,000 votes amid a strong challenge by independent progressive Andrew Feinstein, who came second with 19 per cent of the vote.

"Next time around, with a longer campaign, more resourcing and Starmer's colossal unpopularity, a big upset is more than possible."

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