MP Kate Osamor from the Labour Party has had her membership temporarily revoked as an investigation is conducted into her statement that Gaza should be recognized as a genocide on Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Member of Parliament for Edmonton, located in north London, has scheduled a meeting with party leaders on Monday following her apology for a message she sent on the eve of the day commemorating the deaths of 6 million Jews during World War II.
Osamor had shared with her party colleagues that she believes Holocaust Memorial Day should be recognized, along with acknowledging other instances of genocide, including Gaza.
The ex-shadow development secretary, a member of Jeremy Corbyn’s high-ranking group, posted a picture of herself signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s remembrance book at Westminster.
She also stated that it is an obligation of the international community to honor the victims of the Holocaust, as well as more recent genocides such as those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and currently in Gaza.
“I regret any offense caused by my mentioning of the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza during Holocaust Memorial Day, a day dedicated to remembering the 6 million Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust as well as other genocides that have taken place.”
Jonathan Reynolds, the opposition spokesperson for business, informed Sky News that Osamor had a meeting with the party’s chief whip to address her statements and is scheduled for another meeting with officials this week.
He stated that the situation in Gaza is undoubtedly a humanitarian disaster that is acknowledged. However, the Holocaust holds a distinct significance for specific reasons. It is crucial to keep this in mind on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Kate has issued an apology and a discussion has taken place with the chief whip. There will be more discussions next week, as we take matters in this area very seriously.
When asked if there would be consequences for Osamor’s actions, Reynolds stated that conversations have been arranged for the upcoming week. He emphasized that such situations are taken very seriously.
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Starmer has expressed his support for Israel’s use of self-defense in Gaza against Hamas. However, he has also urged for a lasting ceasefire and criticized the unacceptable number of casualties.
His position has caused tensions within Labour. Many in the party have pressed him to be more critical of Israel’s military action, which has caused an estimated 24,000 deaths.
Momentum, the progressive caucus within the Labour party, expressed their dismay at the “unjustifiable choice [that] only worsens Labour’s image as an anti-racist party under Keir Starmer, and must be promptly amended.”
Source: theguardian.com
