Labour mayor writes to locals to confirm public funds not used for Israeli weapons in Gaza
Kim McGuiness, the first ever Mayor of the North East, also writes 'disagreeing with Israeli govt never permission to target Jewish people'
The Mayor of the North East has confirmed she has written to constituents raising concerns about defence sector policy in relation to Israel in the region to state she will not support public funds being used to produce weapons for use in Gaza.
In a statement to locals living in the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham region Labour’s Kim McGuiness defended the region playing a “major role” through its defence sector in standing up to Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
But she wrote that it was “morally wrong to directly support the production of weapons used to kill innocent civilians in Gaza.”
The mayor, the first to represent the newly created region since May 2024, had been elected on a pro-Keir Starmer ticket, defeating the challenge of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate Jamie Driscoll.
She is known to be supportive and the defence industry and the important role it plays in generating revenue and jobs.
Sources close to her suggest she may have been placed under increased pressure over this support for the industry from pro-Palestine activists to clarify her stance on Gaza.
They stress that her letter represents a clarification of the government’s general stance over Gaza.
But in a sign of her increased frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu’s on-going war against Hamas in Gaza though, McGuiness said “many people” had written to her with concerns about “my economic plan and the role of the defence industry”.
She added:”Israel has a right to defend itself, but it’s current government has a duty to do so in a way which complies with and respects human rights and international law.
“The equipment and weapons we support North East firms to make must not be used by any country to target civilians, facilitate the starvation of innocent people or wage wars of aggression.”
In a final paragraph, the mayor said she wanted to make it “extremely clear” that “the North East stands against antisemitism of any kind.”
She added:”Disagreeing with the actions of the Israeli government must never be taken as permission to target Jewish people.
“The October 7th attack on innocent Israeli citizens was an act of terror and it’s right to demand the return of all hostages and stand for peace.”
There is a Pearson Engineering plant at neigbouring Newcastle’s Armstrong Works that has repeatedly been targeted by pro-Palestine campaigners.
It is is owned by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, but the business has previously said its products are not used by Israeli Defence Forces.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
