Alan Duncan being investigated by Tory Party over Israel peers claim
Jewish Leadership Council accuse the veteran of Tory of sharing 'antisemitic tropes' on LBC radio interview
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Sir Alan Duncan is being investigated by the Tory Party after he called for two peers to be removed from the Lords over claims they were “exercising the interests” of Israel.
In an interview on LBC radio the veteran Tory said there were “extremists” at the top of government who were “doing the bidding of Netanyahu” and “exercising undue influence at the top of government.”
Duncan added:”Let’s start with the head of CFI – or had been for many years – Lord Polak.
“In my view, I think he should be removed from the Lords because he is exercising the interests of another country, not that of the parliament in which he sits, joined by Lord Pickles. They’re the sort of Laurel and Hardy who should be pushed out together.”
The remarks immediately prompted complaints from the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies.
“Calling into question the loyalty of a Jewish Peer was just one example of the antisemitic tropes shared by Sir Alan Duncan this morning on LBC,” said the JLC, who confirmed they had raised the matter with the Conservative Party.
In a statement, the party later confirmed:””Following his comments on LBC this morning, Alan Duncan has been informed in writing that he is under investigation by the party.”
Calling into question the loyalty of a Jewish Peer was just one example of the antisemitic tropes shared by Sir Alan Duncan this morning on @LBC
We have raised this matter with the Conservative Partyhttps://t.co/cnCDxNv6lt
— Jewish Leadership Council (@JLC_uk) April 4, 2024
Speaking on LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Sir Alan also called for arms sales to Israel to be stopped “immediately”.
He also went on to say:”went on to say: “There are a lot of people at the top of our own politics who refuse to condemn settlements and therefore are not supporters of national law.
“I think the time has come to flush out those extremists in our own parliamentary politics and around it…
“The Conservative friends of Israel has been doing the bidding of Netanyahu, bypassing all proper processes of government to exercise undue influence at the top of government.
“So what you have is a lot of people now sitting around Rishi Sunak who are giving him appalling advice.”
The comments by Sir Alan Duncan effectively accuse two Peers, one of whom is Jewish, of dual loyalties. This is disgraceful; we understand the @Conservatives have opened an investigation and we believe the Party should consider whether his position as a Party member is tenable. https://t.co/evz22vcono pic.twitter.com/AMRHcDNd74
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) April 4, 2024
Duncan stood down ahead of the 2019 General Election when he was Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, having made numerous controversial statements on Israel – particularly in relation to Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
In 2011, while serving as International Development Minister, he described Israel’s security barrier as a “land grab,” also accusing Israelis of stealing water from Palestinian communities.
A CFI spokesperson said:”CFI is not affiliated to any political party in Israel.
“We enjoy cordial relations across the political spectrum in Israel. We support the Conservative government in its aim of a two-state solution and a peaceful resolution in the Middle East conflict.”
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