It is unsurprising that the Tory press and pro-Israel Jewish organisations should seize gleefully on Jeremy Corbyn’s past defence of an antisemitic painting (Report, 26 March). But even assuming that Corbyn’s statement in 2012 was a result of negligence, and not a reflection of his real attitudes, Chukka Umunna is right to tweet that it is shameful that the Labour leader’s reactions to accusations of antisemitism should continue to be ambiguous and defensive (apologising for the pain caused is not the same as apologising for the act that caused it).

Corbyn has got himself into a position where he now has to prove that he is as harsh on antisemitism as on other manifestations of racism. His vulnerability to the charges of his enemies is his own doing, and only a full apology will begin to clear the cloud of suspicion that surrounds his leadership and some of his allies. Failing to do so will not only make it infinitely more difficult to make legitimate criticism of Israeli actions, it will also undermine the entire anti-racist agenda of the Labour party.

The predicament of Sarah O’Connor, yet another black British person falling foul of the Home Office “hostile environment”, was reported on the Guardian website on Monday. She, Paulette Wilson, Albert Thompson and many other British people of Commonwealth origin are victims of institutional racism. Labour should definitively rid itself of the taint of antisemitism, and go on the offensive against the racism at the heart of Tory immigration policy.

Chris Sinha

Norwich

• We are seriously concerned at the rise of antisemitism, especially under extreme rightwing governments in central and eastern Europe, in the US under Donald Trump’s presidency and here in Britain under Theresa May’s premiership. The recent extensive survey by the highly respected Jewish Policy Research confirmed that the main repository of antisemitic views in Britain is among supporters of the Conservative party and Ukip.

This political context, alongside declining support for the Tories, reveals the malicious intent behind the latest flimsy accusations of antisemitism against Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party. These accusations have come from the unrepresentative Board of Deputies and the unelected, self-proclaimed “Jewish Leadership Council”, two bodies dominated by supporters of the Tory party.

Between now and the local elections the Tories would love to divert the electorate on to accusations of antisemitism against Labour rather than have us discuss austerity, cuts to local authority budgets, the health service, and social care. Many Jews within and beyond the Labour party are suffering from these policies along with the rest of the population, and oppose them vehemently.

We have worked alongside Corbyn in campaigns against racism and bigotry, including antisemitism, for many years, and we have faith that a Labour government led by Corbyn and Labour-led councils across the country, will be best placed to implement serious measures against all forms of racism and discrimination.

David Rosenberg and Julia Bard

Jewish Socialists’ Group

• In his article on Jeremy Corbyn’s response to antisemitism Matthew d’Ancona (Opinion, 26 March) writes that “The party leader seems to respond as though hatred of Jewish people is an irritant, rather than an issue of fundamental rights.” I base my own opinion mainly on hearing and seeing Corbyn speak live, and therefore unedited, on two occasions over the past couple of years. On both occasions he spoke strongly and unequivocally against antisemitism in both the Labour party and British society as a whole. I wouldn’t support him if I felt he hadn’t.

Keith Chambers

London

• Thank you for Matthew d’Ancona for calling out Jeremy Corbyn over his cover-up of institutional racism in the Labour party. Despite acknowledging “pockets of antisemitism”, he has still failed to recognise the enormous contribution many Jews have made to fighting for an equal and just society both here and abroad. It should be a matter of historical record that many of Labour’s staunchest opponents of racial discrimination and prejudice over the years have been of Jewish descent.

I am proud of a heritage of opposition to all forms of prejudice – not least to the pockets of racism that are still upheld in Israel under the guise of national security interests. Unlike many of my background, I will continue to vote for a Labour party that tries to uphold a fair and equal and just society that is not only for the few.

Ya’ir Klein

London

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