Lib Dem peer Baroness Hussein-Ece tweets ‘Never Again’ in criticism of Israel’s actions
Chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel said: "Using the phrase 'Never again' in the context of the current conflict is as ill-considered and inappropriate as it is offensive.
The Liberal Democrats are facing calls to suspend one of its peers for posting ‘propaganda that fuels antisemitism’.
In response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Baroness Hussein-Ece tweeted: “I thought Remembrance Day was to proclaim ‘Never Again?’ Calling for peace and a ceasefire, an end to the killings is exactly appropriate.”
Hussein-Ece has repeatedly described Israel’s actions as “genocide”, blamed Israel for bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital and shared posts claiming no one in Gaza has committed a “single act of violence”.
She has also shared a post from Instagram which asks: “Have you seen a single person in Gaza with a gun or weapon of ANY kind?… Have you seen any [Palestinian Flag] commit a single act of violence. It is not a war when one side has guns, bombs, soldiers and billions of dollars in US aid; and the other has nothing. It is a GENOCIDE.”
On 1 November she shared a quote saying: “Israel’s settler-colonial goal is liberally to ERASE Palestine and millions of Palestinians”.
Chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, Gavin Stollar, told LBC: “Using the phrase ‘never again’ in the context of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is as ill-considered and inappropriate as it is offensive. This is not a phrase to be bandied about in this way”.
He added: “Baroness Hussein-Ece should reflect on her language. I’m pleased hat she has tweeted that her comments were offensive, unequivocally, and that she has apologised for that. And I’m pleased she has opted to engage in antisemitism educational training.”
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Some of Baroness Hussein-Ece’s comments on social media are over the line. This is tantamount to the sort of propaganda that fuels antisemitism in the UK. A peer of the realm should know better.”
Baroness Hussein-Ece has since said in an online statement: “A few of my tweets about Israel/Gaza were offensive and have upset people and I’m sorry. I am deeply worried about the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Israel and those who have lost loved ones.
“This is not about me. I have undertaken to take part in the Holocaust awareness training along with other Lib Dems Peers to ensure continuing advocacy for peace in the Middle East in a way that is sensitive and effective for all our communities.”
Her party has confirmed it is looking into the comments.
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