British-Nigerian minister MP Kate Osamor faces suspension in the United Kingdom after accusing Israel of genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.
The controversy arose from Osamor’s statement in her weekly newsletter suggesting that Gaza should be included in the list of ‘recent genocides.’
“Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza,” she said.
Osamor, who had posted a photo signing the Holocaust Education Trust’s commemoration book, later issued an apology on social media, acknowledging the insensitivity of her reference to the ongoing situation in Gaza during Holocaust Memorial Day.
She tweeted, “I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.”
Reacting to Osamor’s remarks, the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Labour Movement, and the Holocaust Educational Trust expressed their concerns.
Following the uproar, a Labour source confirmed Osamor’s suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party pending investigation by the Chief Whip.
Campaign Against Antisemitism emphasized that Osamor’s comparison of Israel to Nazis aligns with the International Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the Labour Party.
The Jewish Labour Movement condemned the unilateral co-opting of the Gaza situation into the list of commemorated genocides, deeming it inappropriate and offensive.
The suspension comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice delivered an interim ruling, urging Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but falling short of an immediate cessation of operations.
The conflict, which began with Hamas attacks in October, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with the situation remaining complex and contentious.
