Far-left news site makes grovelling apology to Labour donor over Israel lobby slur

Far-left news website The Canary has been forced to make a humiliating apology to philanthropist and Labour donor Gary Lubner after falsely suggesting he is a lobbyist for Israel who supports genocide and opposes peace.

The website, which came to prominence over its support for Jeremy Corbyn when he was Labour leader, had published an article last month which incorrectly suggested Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had backed proscription of Palestine Action because of her “cosiness” with the pro-Israel lobby in the UK.

Lubner, who has donated £5million to Labour under current leader Keir Starmer, was among those named by The Canary as being part of the pro-Israel lobby that had used their donations to the party to advance support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

But days after the defamatory article was published on 26 June, The Canary has now made a grovelling apology to Lubner, which admits: “This is not the first time we have published such unfounded allegations against Gary Lubner which draw on historic tropes and dog-whistling.”

The apology continues: “On 26 June 2025, we published an article entitled ‘Yvette Cooper’s cosiness with Israel lobby helps explain absurd war on Palestine Action’ which falsely alleged that Gary Lubner is a member of ‘Britain’s influential pro-Israel lobby ‘who ‘approves of genocide and opposes the struggle for peace’ and falsely alleged that his lawful donations to the Labour Party were designed to advance Israel’s policy in Gaza.

“We sincerely apologise to Gary Lubner for publishing these conspiratorial and defamatory allegations. We wish to make clear that these allegations were deeply offensive, unwarranted, and false.

“In fact, we understand that contrary to what we published, Gary has made significant contributions to charities working to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and he is a strong proponent for a just peace that affords Palestinians and Israelis self-determination, dignity and human rights.

“We have promptly removed these allegations and deeply regret and apologise for any antisemitic abuse which Gary Lubner suffered as a result. The Canary Editorial Team.”

The apology follows a similar one issued by the far-left news site Novara Media in September 2024 after they ran an article entitled “The TRUTH About Labour’s Pro-Israel Mega-Donor.”

Without any evidence, they claimed Lubner was an apartheid profiteer and falsely alleged that Gary and his son Jack Lubner have close ties to and are supportive of the Israeli Government.

The Novara Media apology added: “We have now removed the video and provided our sincere apologies to the Lubner family, including in respect of the antisemitic abuse they have suffered as a result of the video’s publication.

“We are pleased to make clear that Gary Lubner was an anti-apartheid activist and led anti-apartheid organisations through the 1980s. He worked closely with leading figures in the anti-apartheid movement to help bring about change in South Africa. He also at Mr Mandela’s own request, served as a Trustee on the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust.

“Further, Gary and Jack Lubner are not supportive of and do not have ties to the Israeli Government and are not lobbyists on its behalf. Rather, they are proud British Jews who have worked towards a just peace that affords Palestinians and Israelis self-determination, dignity and human rights.”

Alyth Synagogue member Lubner, who retired as chief executive of Belron, best known for its Autoglass window repairs, after moving to London from South Africa 35 years ago, has repeatedly said he wants nothing in return for his substantial donations to Labour.

He has also donated money to progressive Jewish organisations like Yachad, who campaign for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Asked about his backing for Starmer he told The Times: “I know his values. I know he believes in the same things that I do.” He added: “My support for Labour is long-term. I want them to be in power for the next term, and hopefully the term after that.”