Labour MP writes of second ‘Nakba’ days after controversial Palestine rally speech
Andy McDonald, the MP for Middlesborough tweets;'It pains my heart that 75 years on from the Nakba, we are seeing another Nakba play out before our eyes'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Labour MP Andy McDonald has claimed Palestinian’s are facing a second ‘Nakba’ – the Arabic term for catastrophe – just two days after he drew criticism for his speech at the latest anti-Israel rally in central London.
In a post on social media the Middlesbrough MP, who has been criticised for his remarks around Israel and the Palestinians, wrote:”It pains my heart that 75 years on from the Nakba, we are seeing another Nakba play out before our eyes.”
The left-winger also claimed there was “a concerted campaign to silence those who are speaking out” in support of the Palestinians.
He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter on Monday, writing:”We must and will not be intimidated. ”
It pains my heart that 75 years on from the Nakba, we are seeing another Nakba play out before our eyes.
As @antonioguterres has said: “Everyone must assume their responsibilities. This is a moment of truth. History will judge us all.” 3/3
— Andy McDonald MP (@AndyMcDonaldMP) October 30, 2023
McDonald, a former shadow cabinet member, who was an ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, is among the Labour MP to have broken ranks from leader Keir Starmer’s position on Israel’s response to Hamas atrocities of October 7th, by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a speech at Saturday’s London demo he spoke of a time “all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty”.
McDonald tweeted he had been subjected to “baseless and harmful accusations of ‘espousing antisemitic language'” after some interpreted his speech as being based on the “From The River To The Sea” chant, which the MP denied.
The term “Nakba” is used to describe the displacement of Palestinians from their homes in 1948 that coincided with the founding of Israel.
Jewish News understands that Labour bosses have been alerted to concerns about McDonald’s conduct around the Israel/Palestine issue.
In earlier speeches at pro-Palestine events in the north-east he has appeared on stage with speakers including known anti-Zionists.
At a Middlesborough March for Palestine event in 2016, McDonald spoke at an event at which a female speaker told the crowd “we condemn and oppose Zionism.”
Speaking himself at another rally in 2014, McDonald spoke of how “terrorists” had gone on to become Israeli prime ministers after the state was formed in 1948.
“History tells us that terrorists can become the prime ministers of sovereign stages ladies and gentlemen, ” he added in the same speech.
Jewish News messaged McDonald to ask if he supported a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine crisis.
McDonald had quit Starmer’s team in 2021 in a row over domestic policy. He announced his decision to leave the shadow cabinet during party conference.
Many interpreted the timing of the decision as an attempt to spark a wider challenge to Starmer’s leadership, but he did not spark other MPs to express anti-Starmer comments.
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.
