Labour Against Antisemitism (LAA) co-director Alex Hearn responded by saying “Jews living thousands of miles away are not responsible for racism by the far-right in Britain.” He continued, “this sectarian incitement by an MP is unacceptable.”
Hearn told Sky News that LAA were calling “for his immediate suspension [from the Labour Party] and for the whip to be removed while he is investigated.
"We believe that his comments in the context of sectarian violence and record attacks against British Jews warrant expulsion."
Clive Lewis MP has been contacted for comment.
A Labour Party spokesperson told the JC: “All complaints are treated seriously and thoroughly assessed in line with our rules and procedures.”
However, it is understood that no further action will be taken against Lewis.
When elected as Labour leader in 2020, one of Sir Keir Starmer’s first acts was to apologise to the Jewish community.
He said that Jew-hate had been a “stain” on his party and vowed to tear it out “by its roots”.
Early in Starmer’s leadership, former leader Jeremy Corbyn was removed from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) for refusing to accept the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)’s report into antisemitism in Labour under his leadership.
He was prevented from standing as a Labour candidate in Islington North at the recent general election and won as an independent candidate.
