Veteran Labour MP suspended over ‘deeply offensive’ Palestine demo speech
In a statement Labour said Andy McDonald's speech at last Saturday's London demo was 'deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety.'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Labour have suspended Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald over the “deeply offensive” speech he made at a Palestine rally during a time of “rising antisemitism.”
Confirming that the party’s chief whip had moved to suspended the MP pending an investigation a Labour spokesperson noted that his speech at Saturday’s demo were “deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety.”
McDonald, who was previously seen as a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn when he was leader, had spoken at last weekend’s demo in defiance of the Labour leadership, and had spoken of a time “all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty”.
The speech was immediately criticised for using words associated with the “From the river to the sea” chant that has come to dominate pro-Palestine demos.
Amongst those to welcome the decision to suspend McDonald was former Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman.
“The Labour party is right to suspend the whip from Andy McDonald,” she tweeted.
“When Jews are experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitism, evoking ‘the river to the sea’ is deeply provocative and irresponsible.
“Labour is acting on its pledge to make the party a safe place for Jews.”
McDonald later claimed his speech had been subjected to “baseless and harmful accusations” of “espousing antisemitic language” in the media.
The MP also appeared at the same demo holding a “Ceasefire Now” banner, alongside the Labour MPs John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome.
In further social media posts on Monday, McDonald claimed Palestinian’s are facing a second ‘Nakba’ – the Arabic term for catastrophe.
He wrote:”It pains my heart that 75 years on from the Nakba, we are seeing another Nakba play out before our eyes.”
The veteran 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. ”
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.
