Palestine speech Labour MP vows to avoid ‘river and the sea’ phrase as party restores whip
Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald says he has come to 'bitterly regret the pain and hurt caused' by his speech at a Palestine rally in London
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Senior Labour MP Andy McDonald has vowed to “not use that phrasing again” after the party restored the whip following an investigation into a “between the river and the sea” speech he gave at a pro-Palestine demo.
Confirming the decision on Wednesday, Labour said the party’s chief whip had concluded McDonald “had not engaged in conduct that was against the party’s rulebook but reminded him of the importance of elected representatives being mindful, not only of what they say in public, but how their words may be interpreted, especially in reference to controversial or emotive issues.
“The Chief Whip met with Andy following the outcome of the investigation and received assurances that he understands the need to be mindful and about his future conduct.”
Middlesborough MP McDonald had appeared as a speaker at the 28 October demo in central London, defying a call by leader Keir Starmer for MPs to stay away from protests over fears of extremism.
He told those at the demo there would not be peace until “all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty.”
At the same time as the event, communal leaders had attempted to convince politicians that the chant “From the river to the sea” represented a call for the destruction of Israel and was therefore antisemitic.
McDonald, who has a long history of attending pro-Palestine events, later claimed his speech had been a “heartfelt plea for an end to killings in Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank.”
After having the whip restored the MP issued a statement on Wednesday saying:”I am pleased that the investigation found that I had not breached the rules of the Party. Nevertheless, I am always actuely conscious of the power of the language used by elected representatives and the need to be mindful of what others hear when discussing sensitive and complex issues.
“It was never my intention to use words that would cause anyone distress or anguish and I bitterly regret the pain and hurt caused. Accordingly, I will not use that phrasing again.”
Last October announcing his suspension, a Labour spokesperson said at the time: “The comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety.”
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