Politics
Labour MP Suspended for Controversial Holocaust Memorial Day Post
A Labour MP has been suspended over a controversial social media post made to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Kate Osamor, the MP for Edmonton in London, issued a statement on Friday which drew criticism for its reference to the conflict in Gaza.
In her post, Osamor highlighted the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day but also mentioned genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Gaza. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Labour Movement both condemned her remarks, stating that it was inappropriate to link the Holocaust to the current situation in Gaza.
The controversy arose as judges at the International Court of Justice in the Hague made a ruling on a case brought against Israel by South Africa. While the court did not classify the events in Gaza as genocide, it concluded that Israel must provide humanitarian aid and stop its operation in the strip.
Following the backlash, Osamor issued an apology on social media “for any offence caused” by her reference to the situation in Gaza. However, before the apology, a statement from the Jewish Labour Movement called for Osamor to be suspended while an investigation took place.
A Labour source confirmed that the chief whip has suspended Osamor from the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation. This comes as a part of the party’s efforts to address and deal with disciplinary issues.
Momentum, a left-wing activist group, expressed support for Osamor and accused the Labour Party of racism in its disciplinary process. However, a senior figure on Labour’s National Executive Committee, Mish Rahman, suggested that there were double standards in how the party handles similar cases.
Osamor is not the only Labour MP to face criticism over remarks concerning the conflict in Gaza. Tahir Ali also faced backlash and later issued an apology for his comments about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
As of now, Osamor is suspended and will sit as an independent MP until the investigation concludes.
