WADING in to a row about antisemitism is like trying to pick your way across a minefield - you would be better advised to stay well clear.

So why are we talking about it today? It would be easier if the Echo kept out of the argument that blew up following Ken Livingstone's comments about Adolf Hitler but we can't ignore issues when they enter very sensitive areas.

Let us first take the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering belief that antisemitism is abhorrent and like all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation it must be exposed and defeated. Ignoring it and pretending it is not there is the coward’s option. We stand against anti-semites – those who express anti-Jewish racism, hatred of Jews because of their ethnic background, their religion, their culture and their perceived shared characteristics.

It is puzzling that we have reached a situation in which Labour, the party whose founding principles include opposing bigotry, felt the need to hold inquiries into antisemitism within its ranks last year and are now ousting leading figures for controversial comments.

Sympathy for the Palestinian cause and opposition to some of the policies carried out by Israel’s government have become the default position for many on the left. That creates potential flashpoints particularly when people conflate concerns about some actions of the State of Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment.

Livingstone was foolish to link Hitler with support for Zionism. If you are going down that road you need to produce watertight arguments and his failure to do so led to his being castigated by members of his party and the Jewish community. But criticism of Israel in and of itself does not constitute antisemitism.

There is a danger that in a bid to purge the party of militant voices Labour stifles democratic and open debate thus undermining another of its founding principles.