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PM And Corbyn Exchange Blows Over Anti-Semitism

David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn clashed in the Commons over anti-Semitism - as two more Labour councillors were suspended.

The Prime Minister demanded the Labour leader withdraw a previous description of Hamas and Hezbollah as "friends".

"Are they your friends? Or are they not? Those organisations in their constitutions believe in persecuting and killing Jews," said the PM.

"They are anti-Semitic organisations, they are racist organisations. He must stand up and say they are not his friends."

Mr Corbyn replied "I absolutely do not approve of those organisations" and suggested Mr Cameron follow his lead in launching an inquiry into racism within his own party.

"Anyone that commits racist acts or is anti-Semitic is not a friend of mine," the Labour leader said.

Mr Corbyn accused the campaign of Conservative candidate for London mayor Zac Goldsmith of "systematically smearing" his Labour rival Sadiq Khan.

Mr Cameron responded by repeating claims that Mr Khan had shown a "pattern of behaviour" in appearing on platforms alongside people like "Sajeel Shahid, the man who trained the ringleader of the 7/7 attacks and accused the US of bringing the 9/11 attacks on themselves" and "an extremist who called for Jews to be drowned in the ocean".

"If he wants to know why he has a problem with anti-Semitism, it's because his candidates share platform after platform after platform with extremists and anti-Semites and then excuse their words," said the PM.

Their spat in the Commons came amid fresh allegations of anti-Semitism within Labour as the party's crisis deepened ahead of Thursday's crucial local elections.

Newport councillor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi and Renfrewshire councillor Terry Kelly have both been suspended by the party pending an investigation.

In the latest case, disclosed on the Guido Fawkes website, Mr Al-Nuaimi used tweets to compare Israel to the Nazis and to make connections between Israel and so-called IS.

Mr Kelly used his blog to speak out about the "Jewish lobby" in the US, claiming it influenced foreign policy and even tried to rig the Oscars.

It brings the number of Labour members suspended for anti-Semitism and racism since Mr Corbyn took over as leader to 18.

Last week he was forced to suspend close ally Ken Livingstone for his comments claiming Hitler supported Zionism and Jewish nationalism .

Bradford West MP Naz Shah was suspended over a Facebook post dating back to 2014, before she was elected, which suggested Israel should be relocated in the US.

Earlier this week, the party suspended three Labour councillors over comments they had posted on Facebook within seven hours.

Mr Corbyn, who has been roundly criticised for failing to take a tough enough line on anti-Semitism, insisted the problem has "been dealt with".

He described the number of members who had been suspended for anti-Semitism and racism as "very small".

Last week the Labour leader announced there would be an independent inquiry into the problem which would be led by Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti.