Comparison Between Far-Right Violence and Israel-Hamas Conflict
Labour MP Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South, has addressed allegations of antisemitism following his comparison of far-right violence in the UK with Israel’s war against Hamas. Earlier this month, Lewis suggested a connection between attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and what he referred to as “rising Islamophobia” in the UK.
In reaction to Mr. Lewis’s comments, which he made in a post on X, the campaign group Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS) called for his suspension from the party. Lewis has since argued that efforts to “shut down and silence” politicians are a “dangerous path” and “fundamentally wrong.”
Lewis’s Response and Call for Dialogue
In a new post on X, Lewis stated: “Combatting antisemitism and advocating for Palestinian human rights, as well as addressing broader Islamophobia, are not mutually exclusive goals. We have a responsibility as politicians to ensure all minorities feel safe here in the UK and to advocate for the upholding of human rights abroad.”
He continued: “Differences of opinion on how best to achieve these goals should, of course, always be encouraged. However, attempting to shut down and silence those who seek to highlight these issues is a dangerous path and one that is fundamentally wrong.”
Complaint and Party Response
LAAS filed an official complaint with the UK Labour Party regarding Mr. Lewis’s original post, claiming it was “highly irresponsible” and breached the official definition of antisemitism. However, it is understood that no further action would be taken by the party, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A Labour spokesperson previously stated that all complaints were taken seriously and “thoroughly assessed in line with its rules and procedures.”
Controversial Comments and Public Reaction
In his original post, Mr. Lewis had written: “The link between the daily inhumanity being meted out to Palestinians and rising Islamophobia in the UK is not unconnected. The inhumanity being shown to one is giving ‘permission’ for the other. These actions diminish us all.” He also linked to a Guardian article about reported deaths following an Israeli attack on a school in Gaza.
Lewis’s comments followed the arrests of hundreds of individuals in connection with riots and anti-immigration protests across the UK. Alex Hearn, LAAS co-director, described Lewis’s remarks as “extremely irresponsible” and a “conspiracy fantasy.”
Hearn stated: “I filed the complaint because we have been seeing a pattern from the far right and across elements of the left blaming Zionists and Israelis for the unrest occurring across the country. The conflict happening thousands of miles away has no connection to the domestic issues we are facing.”
