A united political-party stand against anti-Semitism and racism has been taken, but controversy not avoided.

Disagreements between campaigners, inter-faith leaders and Haringey Council have been reported.

Haringey Council leader Claire Kober and opposition leader Gail Engert presented a cross-party motion setting out a joint commitment combating anti-Semitism and condemning racism at a full council meeting on Monday July 24.

The world-recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism has been adopted after favourable voting.

The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism states: ‘anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities’.

Politicians from all parties expressed concern at the rise of anti-Semitism across the country in recent years.

They also made clear their condemnation of all forms of racism, Islamophobia, homophobia and sexism.

Council leader, councillor Claire Kober, Labour, said: “No-one thinks criticism of any state should be silenced – not Syria, not Britain, not Saudi Arabia, and not Israel.

“But equality must mean equality, and we must be clear that hate is hate.

“We need to recognise that there is a growing problem of anti-Semitism, and that’s why we brought this motion: to make it absolutely clear that anti-Semitism is not acceptable.

“No ifs and no buts.

“I’m proud that council voted together to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism – this is undoubtedly an issue that crosses party political divides.

“Haringey is a place of great community cohesion and there is a no place for any form of racism, hatred or bigotry in our borough.”

Opposition leader councillor Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat, said: “People from all backgrounds live and work together side-by-side in harmony in our borough, and it is absolutely right that as a council we lead by example and say that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism.

“It is our duty as local leaders to stand together against hatred.”

But chair of Haringey Justice for Palestinians, Alan Watts, thinks that the decision was rushed through without debate.

He said: “The short definition of anti-Semitism is not controversial.

“But the motion included the much longer guidelines with examples on what constitutes anti-Semitism, which conflates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.

“This highly contested political defence of Zionism did not result from a debate within the Labour Party or the community, far from it.

“The motion appeared on the agenda at very short notice.

“Requests for deputations to speak to the motion at the council meeting were turned down.

“The motion was the last on the agenda and was nodded through without any debate at all.

“There should be debate about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism in general – the more, the better.

“The motion to the council had nothing to do with conducting a debate.

“It was clearly proposed to stir the pot about manufactured reports about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, to have another go at the pro-Palestinian movement and Jeremy Corbyn in particular.”

And, trustee of the Wightman Road Mosque, Bibi Khan, warned of the decision stopping criticism of Israel and expressed concern at the lack of consultation with mosques in the borough.

Grassroots campaign network Momentum led a protest outside Haringey Civic Centre on the night.

Momentum’s protest was to do with attached guidelines that are not current Labour Party policy, rather than the adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-semitism.

A Momentum spokesperson said: “Momentum opposes antisemitism in all its forms.

“This council lobby was not organised by Momentum at a national level.

“The local momentum group in Haringey supported the lobby along with other organisations and some members attended.

“While we haven’t received any complaints about Momentum members present at the meeting, if we do we’ll investigate them and take the necessary, appropriate action.”

The national government has announced that it will sign up to the IHRA guidelines.

IHRA guidelines make clear the distinction between anti-Semitism and free speech.

Visit the IHRA website www.holocaustremembrance.com/media-room/stories/working-definition-antisemitism for further information.