Author: Imran Mulla
Workers and volunteers at Medical Aid for Palestinians are calling for the resignation of CEO Melanie Ward due to her candidacy with the Labour Party in Scotland. Amidst the crisis in Gaza, those affiliated with the charity have threatened to refer the organization to the Charity Commission. A group associated with MAP wrote a letter expressing concern over Ward’s dual roles and her party’s past support for Israel’s military campaign. Despite taking a leave of absence to contest a parliamentary seat, Ward’s alignment with Labour has raised controversy within the charity. The letter, with over 2,250 signatures, questions MAP’s decision…
Leicester South has historically been a safe seat for the Labour Party, with only a brief interruption by the Liberal Democrats in 2004 and 2005. However, the constituency is now designated as a battleground area, with a shift in dynamics due to the emergence of independent candidate Shockat Adam, a local optician and community activist with Indian roots. Adam’s entry into politics was motivated by Israel’s war on Gaza, resonating strongly with Leicester South’s large Muslim population, which is predominantly Gujarati Indian. The constituency is adorned with Palestinian flags, reflecting solidarity with Gaza. Adam’s campaign has gained significant momentum, challenging…
A UK Green Party parliamentary candidate, Sharmen Rahman, was barred from standing for the Labour Party after liking tweets critical of media coverage on a report on Labour and racism. Despite being a Labour councillor and parliamentary candidate hopeful for Loughborough, Rahman was blocked from the longlist due to her online activity, as highlighted in a due diligence document by the East Midlands Labour Party. The panel questioned her about a tweet by journalist Aaron Bastani, which they deemed to contain antisemitic tropes. Rahman strongly denies this accusation, stating the importance of discussing the Forde report on racism in Labour.…
Launched in December 2023, The Muslim Vote (TMV) is a campaign in the UK supporting parliamentary candidates for the upcoming election in constituencies with a significant Muslim electorate. Backed by influential Muslim organizations, TMV endorses candidates based on their support for issues such as the NHS, public services, and opposition to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The campaign aims to empower Muslim voters and promote political engagement within the community. Despite facing criticism for its approach, TMV is making an impact by endorsing select candidates across parties and highlighting crucial policies such as healthcare funding, policing reforms, and educational sensitivities.…
Recent events in the southern Gaza Strip have sparked global outrage, with the death toll surpassing 36,500 and calls for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, adding fuel to the fire. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has faced backlash for parachuting pro-Israel lobbyist Luke Akehurst into the North Durham parliamentary seat without local consultation, leaving supporters puzzled and angered. This move comes at a sensitive time, as Starmer’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza has already drawn criticism. Akehurst’s past…
Controversial UK politician Nigel Farage recently announced his candidacy for parliament, stirring up debates with his inflammatory remarks about Muslims, immigrants, and Hamas. Despite never holding a seat, Farage is well-known for his role in the UK’s 2016 Brexit decision and founding right-wing parties like UKIP and the Brexit Party. Farage’s latest move to run for parliament in Clacton, Essex, for Reform UK in the upcoming election has sparked criticism for his divisive rhetoric. Over the years, he has made controversial statements about various topics, including Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, and Israel. His comments on Muslims, accusations of antisemitism, and concerns…
Former Conservative Minister Criticizes UK’s Support for Israel Former Conservative cabinet minister David Jones recently spoke with Middle East Eye, revealing that the UK’s support for Israel within the governing party can be attributed to the success of its pro-Israel lobby group. Jones called for a halt in arms sales to Israel and criticized the Tory leadership for labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as disproportionate. Jones, who served as secretary of state for Wales, expressed his disagreement with the Conservative Party’s approach to Israel and Gaza, particularly in light of the recent war. He also announced that he would not…
The Charity Commission in the UK has rejected a request by Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) to investigate the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a pro-Israel charity. The complaint, filed in April 2020, accused the CAA of being politically partisan and not deserving charitable status. Despite this, the regulator found that JVL did not meet the criteria to bring the complaint forward. JVL had previously been targeted by the CAA, which accused them of being on the fringes of the Jewish community and supportive of extreme elements. JVL considered these accusations defamatory. The group alleged that the CAA conflated antisemitism with…
In April, a Jewish student delegate at a National Union of Students (NUS) conference in Blackpool called for a non-binding vote on recognizing a pro-Israel body as the legitimate representative of Jewish students, challenging the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) that excludes critical views of Zionism. The incident escalated into a media frenzy in early May, with the Jewish identity of the delegates often ignored. Government figures expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a “disgraceful act” and questioning if NUS is institutionally antisemitic. Despite the uproar, NUS later apologized for allowing the motion, acknowledging it as a breach…
Cambridge City Council, with a Labour majority, made history as the first in the UK to pass a motion for a Gaza ceasefire and to stop arming Israel. The council unanimously agreed to press the government for a ceasefire, revoke arms export licenses to Israel, and halt arms sales. They also vowed to explore the possibility of cutting ties with Barclays due to the bank’s investments in companies linked to Israel’s military. Labour councillor Alice Gilderdale emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that they couldn’t stay silent amidst the tragedies in Gaza. This bold move sets Cambridge apart from…