George Galloway ‘very clear on difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism’
search

The latest Jewish News

Read this week’s digital edition

Click Here

George Galloway ‘very clear on difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism’

Firebrand left-wing veteran who is standing in Batley and Spen to split the Labour vote insist 'anyone who says anything antisemitic is not welcome'.

Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor

Former MP and veteran campaigner George Galloway
Former MP and veteran campaigner George Galloway

George Galloway’s is “very clear there is a difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism” his spokesperson has insisted.

Speaking to Jewish News following our report on strong pro-Palestinian sentiment in a key area of Batley and Spen ahead of next month’s by-election, the spokesperson also said there had been “no” incidents of antisemitism in Galloway’s campaign up until now.

Galloway’s aide said: “We have made clear in our daily briefings if anybody says anything antisemitic, if anybody holds antisemitic views they are not welcome.”

Asked for Galloway’s view on whether Labour had become a “Zionist Party” under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, the spokesperson said: “I have not spoken to George today, but when I see him I will get him to reply back to you.”

When told that some voters in the Batley area had yesterday suggested Galloway was himself now a Muslim ‘revert’, the spokesperson said:”That is a matter between George and God.

“He is a believer in God, but his faith is a matter between him and God.”

The spokesperson also suggested claims that Galloway’s campaign would ultimately lead to a Tory victory on July 1st were wrong.

“We are in it to win it,” said the aide. “It is Labour who cannot win. Speak to any local Kirklees Labour councillor and they will tell you the party’s canvassing returns are so poor they cannot win.”

Labour has yet to respond to a request for comment on the party’s campaign in the seat.

This week’s Jewish News front page
Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News

Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.

For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.

Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.

You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.

100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...

Engaging

Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.

Celebrating

There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.

Pioneering

In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.

Campaigning

Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.

Easy access

In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.

Voice of our community to wider society

The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.

We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.

read more: