Labour cllr who apologised for likening IDF to Nazis elected as by-election candidate
Luke Cresswell wins the South Suffolk by-election after recently saying sorry for 'unhelpful crude' remarks made online
The Labour councillor who recently apologised unreservedly for causing offence to the Jewish community has been elected to stand as the party’s candidate in the South Suffolk by-election.
Luke Cresswell, from Labour’s socialist wing, was the subject of a party disciplinary process after posting images likening Israeli soldiers to Nazis and of a blood-soaked Star of David under the caption: “Moses would be proud of you.”
Cresswell said the posts were “unhelpful, crude and can be misconstrued,” adding: “I have made mistakes in what I have said in the past and, of course, I regret these. It has never been my intention to offend or hurt anyone and I am sorry if my insensitive remarks have done so.”
In the coming weeks, he said he would be hosting the Labour Party’s training module on anti-Semitism, which is delivered by the Jewish Labour Movement, adding: “I welcome the opportunity to find ways to constructively and sensitively discuss the big issues of our day.”
A spokesman for Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said his posts were “clearly anti-Semitic, conflating extreme criticism of Israel with the Jewish religion”.
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