UK Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn
UK Labor Party leader Jeremy CorbynReuters

The main representative body of Jews in Britain on Tuesday met with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is known for his controversial past statements in support of terrorism.

In a statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said its leadership had held discussions with Corbyn “on a range of matters of interest and concern to the UK Jewish community.”

“The meeting has resulted in significant clarifications of the views of the Leader of the Opposition on key issues for the Jewish community,” it said.

Board President Jonathan Arkush, who represented the Board together with Chief Executive Gillian Merron, said that there had been welcome agreement in some key policy areas but that there were still matters on which the Labour leader could make firmer commitments. 

“We had a positive and constructive meeting and were pleased that Mr. Corbyn gave a very solid commitment to the right of Israel to live within secure and recognized boundaries as part of a two state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict,” said Arkush. 

“Corbyn affirmed his support for shechitah (Jewish ritual slaughter -ed.), brit milah and Jewish faith schools. He also resolved in strong terms to fight anti-Semitism from wherever it comes,” added Arkush, who added that Corbyn “rejected any sort of violence or intimidation such as occurred at King’s College London last month.”

Arkush also called on the Labour leader to “do more to address profound and real concerns about past meetings with people or organizations with extremist or anti-Semitic views. We are also looking for the Labour leadership to show with more clarity that it will maintain its longstanding opposition of boycotts against Israel.”

“However,” he continued, “this is the beginning of a conversation between the Jewish community and the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and we will be meeting him again later this year.”

Corbyn has previously stirred up controversy due to his anti-Israel comments and by calling Hamas and Hezbollah his "friends".

British Jews have voiced deep concern over Corbyn’s disturbing links to a wide range of extremists, spanning far-right holocaust deniers, an anti-Semitic Christian minister and Islamist terrorist groups.

Shortly after getting elected Labour leader, Corbyn caused more controversy when he spoke at Labour Friends of Israel's (LFI) reception, where he gave a speech in which mentioned the "siege of Gaza" and even Syrian refugees, but didn't say the word "Israel".

That raised the ire of one audience member, who stood up at the end of the speech and repeatedly demanded Corbyn "say the word Israel!"