Lib Dem councillor sparks fury after refusing to address antisemitism concerns
Birmingham City councillor Ayoub Khan refuses to answer concerns put to him that he considers antisemitism awareness training 'is beneath you'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A Liberal Democrat councillor exposed by Jewish News for questioning evidence that Hamas carried out atrocities in Israel on October 7th has sparked renewed anger after refusing to confirm he has undertaken antisemitism awareness training for linking the Jewish state to the Nazis.
Birmingham City councillor Ayoub Khan was asked by Labour’s Lee Marsham at a meeting of the city council this week if he considered antisemitism awareness training “is beneath you.”
While Khan faced a second question from a Labour councillor urging him to answer the question on whether he had “taken up the antisemitism awareness offered.”
In a speech at the council meeting Khan had said:”Of course I now stand here delivering this speech. There will be some saying ‘Councillor Khan antisemite. His speech antisemitic’.
“How dare you make such a remark. I will be prepared to scrutinise and hold any government or organisation.”
Labour councillor Marsham told Jewish News:”I call on Ed Davey and Roger Harmer to stand up and take action against Cllr Khan for his refusal to undertake antisemitism awareness training. His comments are wholly unacceptable.”
In October, after Khan had said he “has a problem with the credibility” of accounts detailing the massacre carried out at by Hamas, included at a kibbutz in southern Israel , a spokesperson for the Lib Dems claimed: “Councillor Khan has recognised that his comments were offensive.
“He has apologised and deleted his TikToks, and agreed to undergo anti-semitism training,” the spokesperson said.
“Liberal Democrats utterly condemn the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October.”
But his conduct this week showed little sign of regret by the councillor, who is a criminal barrister by profession.
During last Tuesday’s meeting, instead of attempting to answer either question put to him, the Aston ward councillor proceeded to read out statistics on civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of Israel’s war on Hamas in response to the October 7th massacre.
When Khan then continued to read out a report on a 12 year-old girl who was injured in Gaza, Lord Mayor Chaman Lal intervened, urging him to answer the questions put to him in the chamber.
He claimed “the citizens of Birmingham” were more concerned with hearing about the “atrocities” than the questions “being put to me.”
As Khan continued without responding, many councillors in the meeting began to raise objections, and he was told to sit down.
In a move that mirrored his conduct last year when the Gaza conflict erupted , Khan again used the TikTok platform to attack suggestions he was an “antisemite”, but without confirmation he had undergone awareness training.”
He ended the video saying:”Despite the unjustified protestations made by Labour councillors or anyone else, I want to stand on the right side of history.
“The Palestinian cause is a just cause and I want to stand on the right side of history. Free Palestine.”
In comments posted beneath his TikTok video Khan responded a claim that the two Labour councillors who has quizzed him were “issnotreal’s (sic) payroll” by writing:”Certainly the residents in their ward see what they stand for!!”
Khan also responded with “lol” to a post that said ironically of antisemitism training “Does that involve taking them your bank details and wire money to your account….”
The Lib Dem councillor also responded to a claim that if “the antisemitism card” and “doesn’t work, the Holocaust gets brought up for good measure” by writing”They have diluted the word to meaningless.”
A Lib Dem spokesperson said: “A complaint against Ayoub Khan is currently being assessed under the party’s independent complaints process. While this is ongoing and until it is fully concluded it is not possible to comment further.”
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.
