‘Many Jewish Londoners no longer feel represented by their mayor’: Khan’s ‘genocide’ comments condemned
After the Mayor of London's comments yesterday, both the Board of Deputies and JLC suggest he is misusing his platform to comment on foreign policy
Jewish communal organisations have responded strongly to Sadiq Khan’s decision to describe the situation in Gaza as a “genocide”, suggesting that “many Jewish Londoners no longer feel represented by their mayor.”
In comments yesterday which were subsequently uploaded by the Mayor of London’s team to his official social media account, Khan said: “I think what’s happening in Gaza is a genocide. When I see the images of the children starving…because of the policies of the Israeli government. When I see the health system in Gaza collapsed, when I see the lack of supplies reaching people in need, when I see the famine that is man-made.
“When I read the interim judgement of the ICJ and then see a UN Commission report this week – I think it’s inescapable to draw the conclusion, in Gaza we are seeing before our very eyes a genocide.”
The ICJ’s interim judgement does not suggest that Israel is carrying out a genocide, and this week’s UN Commission report – which is not endorsed by the UN as an organisation – has been dogged by claims of antisemitism exhibited by members of the commission.
The Board of Deputies responded to Sadiq Khan’s statement, pointing out that “The Mayor of London’s position clearly contradicts that stated by the UK Government in recent days.”
Last week, a report from the UK government made it clear that while it was felt that Israel’s actions in Gaza were appalling, they were not deemed to be genocidal.
“Sadiq Khan promised to be a mayor for all Londoners, yet this position will alienate large sections of London’s population”, the Board’s statement continued.
“We would recommend that the Mayor sticks to fixing to issues facing Londoners rather than freelancing on foreign policy in ways that risk exacerbating divisions in our own communities.”
The Jewish Leadership Council commented in a similar vein, stating :
“As mayor of one of the world’s most diverse cities, Sadiq Khan has a responsibility to foster community cohesion and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that risks damaging it. However, since the beginning of this conflict, he has repeatedly sought to use his platform to commentate on foreign policy to the detriment of communities in London. We all share concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the Mayor’s inaccurate and offensive language only deepens division. Many Jewish Londoners no longer feel represented by their mayor.”
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The Mayor of London has deliberately parroted one of the most inflammatory false allegations against the world’s only Jewish state. In so doing, he directly contravened the Government’s rejection of the ‘genocide’ claim as unfounded.
“Peddling the same rhetoric as the violent thugs on our streets will delight Islamists and far-left extremists. Such incitement against Israel does nothing to bring peace to the Middle East and simply fans the flames of hatred here in Britain.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “After seeing the mounting evidence, including from the UN commission, the Mayor’s view is that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide. This is in line with many legal experts and genocide scholars who have also come out to say that war crimes and genocidal acts are being committed.
“Sadiq is clear that we need to see the international community – including our own government – do much, much more to put pressure on Israel to stop the brutal treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. Alongside this, he is absolutely clear that hostages held in appalling conditions must be released without delay.”
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