LONDON, Oct. 8, 2023 – Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party, has refused to condemn Hamas after the militant group carried out a deadly attack on Israel.
In a statement released on Saturday, Corbyn described the events in Israel as “deeply alarming” but did not specifically condemn Hamas. He also called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Corbyn’s refusal to condemn Hamas has been criticized by some members of his own party, as well as by the Jewish community and the Israeli government.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said that he “strongly disagreed” with Corbyn’s statement and that Hamas is a “terrorist organization.”
“I believe that it is important to condemn Hamas unequivocally,” Starmer said. “I also believe that it is important to call for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.”
The Jewish Leadership Council, an umbrella group of Jewish organizations in the UK, said that Corbyn’s statement was “deeply disappointing.”
“Corbyn’s refusal to condemn Hamas is a betrayal of the Jewish community and of the values of the Labour Party,” the council said in a statement.
The Israeli government also condemned Corbyn’s statement.
“Corbyn’s refusal to condemn Hamas is a disgrace,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. “Hamas is a terrorist organization that has killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. Corbyn’s statement shows that he is either ignorant or indifferent to the suffering of the Israeli people.”
Corbyn has a long history of supporting Palestinian rights and has been critical of Israel’s government. He has also been accused of antisemitism, which he denies.
In his statement, Corbyn said that “all attacks on civilians are wrong” but did not specifically condemn Hamas. He also called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people is immense and unacceptable,” Corbyn said. “The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is a major obstacle to peace in the region.”
The debate over Corbyn’s statement is likely to continue. It is a complex issue with no easy answers.
Source: With Agencies