Barnet’s Labour leader has welcomed the party’s adoption of the internationally accepted definition of antisemitism – but warned there was a long way to go to rebuild trust with the Jewish community.

Cllr Barry Rawlings said he was glad Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), had decided to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at a meeting yesterday (September 4).

The NEC’s previous stance, which was not to include all the examples of antisemitism given by the IHRA, had been roundly condemned.

A statement from the NEC came with a clarification that its decision “will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians”.

Cllr Rawlings said: “I am glad the full definition has been accepted. It should have been done months ago, but at least it is a sign of progress being made.

“I think the caveat added about free speech is unnecessary, because it is within the definition.

“It is a move in the right direction, but it is only a small step, and it will take a lot more time and effort to rebuild the trust and confidence of the Jewish Community in the Labour Party.”

A draft statement submitted by Jeremy Corbyn stating it should not be considered antisemitic “to describe Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist” was withdrawn after failing to win support.

Cllr Rawlings said: “The important thing is that the NEC was willing to disagree with Jeremy Corbyn. That is a sign of progress – that they are acting in the interests of the party.

“I think Jeremy Corbyn himself still has a blind spot about Israel and antisemitism, and would benefit from training and meeting with mainstream Jewish organisations to understand the amount of fear that was engendered in the community.”

One in five people in Barnet is Jewish, and the borough has a higher Jewish population than any other local authority in the UK.

Antisemitism was a major issue in local elections in May this year, which saw Labour lose five council seats to the Conservatives.

Cllr Rawlings said Labour needed to act more quickly to suspend people who were suspected of making antisemitic remarks.

He added: “I feel disappointed in my own party, which I have been a member of for decades.

“This is a self-inflicted wound, and the only way to heal it is to work with mainstream Jewish organisations to ensure antisemitism is seen for the evil it is and treated as such.”