A local MP has criticised Labour’s national executive committee over its definition of anti-Semitism after an outcry from the Jewish community.

Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North, called on Labour’s NEC to reverse its decision to adopt an alternative definition of anti-Semitism which he believes was “concocted by party officials.”

Last week, Labour’s NEC chose to reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism and adopt its own.

The NEC’s definition clearly says that “anti-Semitism is racism” and says such behaviour is “unacceptable in our party and in wider society”.

However, the adopted definition is proving controversial as it misses out certain points from the IHRA definition; including accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than their own nations, claiming that the existence of the state of Israel is a racist endeavour and comparing Israeli actions with those of the Nazis.

Mr Streeting put forward an emergency motion at his constituency meeting last week that said: “The NEC’s decision to adopt a diluted version of the IHRA’s definition with its own interpretation of the examples… is wrong, unjust and fails the Jewish community, including Jewish members of the Labour party.”

The MP will now write to the NEC to express regret at what he calls its “disastrous decision” and demand that the adoption of the new definition is reversed.

The constituency meeting was open to all members of the local Labour party and the motion was passed with an overwhelming majority.

Two Jewish members of Ilford North constituency Labour party have already resigned in response the NEC’s decision – including Tal Ofer, who sits on the Board of Deputies of British Jews and stood as a local election candidate for the Labour party in Fullwell in 2014.

Commenting following the meeting, Wes Streeting said: “The decision of the Labour party’s NEC and the message it sends to our Jewish community is utterly contemptible, but I am incredibly proud that Ilford North Labour members have voted by an overwhelming majority to show our solidarity with the Jewish community – locally and nationally – in calling for this decision to be reversed.

“The Labour leadership were warned time and time again of the devastating damage that the NEC’s decision would inflict on our party’s reputation and our relationship with the Jewish community, not least by the Chief Rabbi.

“I am sent to Parliament to champion the interests of every community in Ilford North and I will continue to stand up for the interests of our local Jewish community, whatever threats and intimidation are thrown my way. I do so with my local Labour party standing with me.”

Lloyd Duddridge, who was elected chair of the Ilford North Labour party last night, said: “Anti-Semitism has no place in the Labour party and as the new chair of Ilford North Labour party I’m proud that our members have sent a clear and powerful message to Labour’s NEC to reverse its damaging decision.

“Ilford North Labour party will always be an open, welcoming and inclusive party for people of all backgrounds. We stand 100 per cent behind our local MP.”