An Enfield councillor, who is thought to be a potential Labour parliamentary candidate in Enfield North, has had the Labour whip suspended after he shared a tweet claiming Israel backs Al Qaeda and Isis.
Councillor Ayfer Orhan retweeted a post which claimed that Israel backs Al Qaeda and Isis, and said “this is truly shocking if true.”
The original tweet by Partisan Girl read: “#Israel hoped that destabilising #Syriaby supporting ALQaeda [sic] & #ISIS would help legitimise their annexation of the #GolanHeights.”
Cllr Orhan’s shared the tweet and wrote: “What is this??? I have been watching the development of political interest for the #GolanHeights with some interest but this is truly shocking if true.”
Leader of Enfield Council Nesil Caliskan said: “Orhan has been suspended from the Labour Group at Enfield Council, pending investigation.
“This swift decision was taken following an antisemitic tweet posted by Cllr Orhan, which has caused great offence.
“Labour Party values mean we opposes all forms of xenophobia and racism, that includes antisemitism. It is important we challenge it and stand up against it whenever and wherever we face it, whichever political party”.
The Enfield Southgate Constituency Labour Party (CLP) came under criticism earlier when it tweeted to defend Cllr Orhan, asking someone who complained: “What exactly is wrong with this statement?”
At a CLP meeting on Thursday evening, it was agreed that the Southgate Labour Twitter account only be used to retweet tweets by the Southgate MP, councillors or approved statements from the CLP executive.
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