Politics
Labour Faces Backlash as MP Clive Lewis Accused of Antisemitism After Controversial Gaza Post
Formal grievance filed against Labour for MP's 'reckless' social media statement
The group Labour Against Antisemitism has urged Sir Keir Starmer to remove Clive Lewis from the party following his social media message about an Israeli airstrike on a school being used as a shelter in Gaza.
Political correspondent @Journoamrogers
Sunday, August 11, 2024 9:56
The Labour Party is facing a formal grievance regarding a social media message from one of its members of parliament, which activists claim accuses Jews of instigating riots throughout the United Kingdom.
The organization Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS) has charged Clive Lewis, the Labour representative for Norwich South, with violating the accepted definition of antisemitism due to a message he posted on X in response to an Israeli strike on a facility in Gaza City, which had been converted into a shelter, resulting in the deaths of 80 individuals as reported by Palestinian health authorities.
In his post, Mr. Lewis shared a link to a Guardian article that detailed the death toll and stated, "The daily injustices faced by Palestinians and the increase in Islamophobia in the UK are not unrelated.
The cruelty displayed towards one individual is essentially authorizing the same treatment for another.
"Such behaviors reduce the stature of everyone involved."
Alex Hearn, co-director of LAAS, expressed to Sky News that he found Mr. Lewis's post to be "extremely reckless" and called for his "instant suspension."
"He expressed alarm that individuals from various political ideologies, ranging from 'anti-racists' to extreme right-wing groups, have indulged in the conspiracy that 'Zionists' and Israel are responsible for disturbances throughout Britain," he stated.
A new study from the Community Security Trust reveals that over the past six months, incidents of antisemitism have more than doubled, increasing by 105%, with 1,978 recorded events frequently linked to issues concerning Palestine. This surge in hostility has involved attacks on synagogues, which occurred 76 times, and included 121 physical assaults.
It is highly reckless for a Labour MP to attribute the recent racist incidents in far-right riots across Britain to a conflict occurring thousands of miles away.
"After violent incidents targeting British Jews surged in the wake of the Hamas massacre on 7 October, Mr. Lewis did not draw any connection between the two events."
When Sky News reached out to Mr. Lewis for a comment, he chose not
Mr. Hearn stated, "Labour Against Antisemitism demands his immediate suspension and the withdrawal of his party privileges during the investigation.
"We are of the opinion that his remarks, given the backdrop of sectarian conflict and unprecedented assaults on British Jews, justify his removal."
According to a representative from the Civil Defence agency managed by the Hamas-led administration, roughly 6,000 evacuees were taking refuge in Tabeen school when it was hit by three missiles on Saturday.
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The Israeli military reported targeting a "Hamas command center," though no proof was offered, and Hamas refuted claims of operating a facility at the school.
According to Palestinian health officials, 80 individuals have lost their lives, whereas the Gaza administration, controlled by Hamas, reports that the death toll exceeds 100.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that approximately 20 militants affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad were active within the Gaza school that was targeted.
Efforts have been made to reach out to the Labour Party for
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