A group of Arab lawmakers in Israel on Sunday praised British Labour opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose party has been battling accusations of anti-Semitism for months.
In a letter to Britain's Guardian newspaper, Israel's Deputy Knesset Speaker Ahmad Tibi and three other members of the Joint Arab List party said Corbyn had a "longstanding solidarity with all oppressed peoples around the world, including his unflinching support for the Palestinian people."
Since unexpectedly becoming Labour leader in 2015, after decades spent on the left-wing fringes of the party, Corbyn has repeatedly faced accusations of turning a blind eye to anti-Semitic sentiments within the party and among groups he supports.
Corbyn has responded to protests by meeting Jewish community leaders and reassuring Jewish people they are welcome in the party. He has previously apologized for what he has described as "pockets" of anti-Semitism in his party.
Israel's own Labor party suspended relations with Corbyn in April, accusing him of sanctioning anti-Semitism and showing hostility toward Israeli policies.
In their letter, the Arab MKs said they recognize Corbyn as "a principled leftist leader who aspires for peace and justice and is opposed to all forms of racism, whether directed at Jews, Palestinians, or any other group."
Some opinion polls have put Labour ahead of, or level with Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives, meaning he is a potential British leader. The next election is not due until 2022.
The Labour party's ruling National Executive Committee is expected to decide on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism in full with all its examples.
Labour's leadership had originally suggested it would adopt the code in full, but gradually retreated from that position.
