New definition of anti-Semitism shows Theresa May's commitment to fighting hatred

It was Theresa May's first day as Prime Minister. She met the Queen at Buckingham Palace, walked into her new home at Number 10, and could have been forgiven for clearing her diary of any other engagements.

But that evening she and her husband honoured a dinner invitation, made some months earlier, with Britain's chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. The message was clear - Mr Mirvis said the gesture "reflects her great desire to maintain her commitments to and appreciation of Britain's Jewish Community". 

The new definition of anti-Semitism being announced by Mrs May on Monday is the logical next step for the Prime Minister whose commitment to fighting hatred of Jews was already long evident. 

She visited Israel as Home Secretary and secured £11m of funding for security at UK schools and synagogues following terrorist attacks on Jewish communities in France, Belgium and elsewhere.

At an event last April to mark the 67th anniversary of Israel's independence, she responded to a rise in anti-Semitism by declaring: "I never thought I would see the day that members of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom would say that they are fearful of remaining here in our country. Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain." 

Too often, she will say today, culprits can wriggle out of anti-Semitism accusations because it is ill-defined. Now, she says, "they will be called out". Police forces, councils and public bodies can then use the wording from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which Britain is one of the first countries to adopt.

Campaigners say clear direction about what is anti-Semitic, at a time when councils and student unions have voted for boycotts singling out Israeli products and people, is sorely needed. 

Online, as well as in person and in institutions, this is a problem that is on the rise. There was a 29% increase in police-recorded anti-Semitic hate crime in England and Wales between 2010 and 2015 - compared with a 9% increase in all hate crimes. 

The charity also provides some examples of where the line should be drawn. It includes "calling for, aiding or justifying the killing or harming of Jews"; claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a "racist endeavour", comparing contemporary Israel policy to that of the Nazis and "holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel". 

The Government says this is not about shutting down legitimate debate about Israeli government policy, but ensuring that this is not used as cover for anti-Semitic views.

This is the criticism which has been levelled at the Labour Party, which has suspended some senior figures including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone - despite calls for him to be expelled - and others controversially allowed back in. 

Anti-Semitism has traditionally come from the right, and still exists there; but the tide is turning, certainly in Britain. 

 A survey earlier this year of 1,000 British Jews found only 8.5% would vote for Jeremy Corbyn if there was General Election tomorrow.  Mrs May will say she is "proud to lead a party that takes the firmest stand against it".

The Opposition have now been forced to follow her lead.