Sadiq Khan criticised for labelling Gaza war a ‘genocide’

The UN report referred to by Khan states that Israel is committing a genocide, but it has been heavily criticised with claims of bias and antisemitism. Meanwhile, the ICJ’s interim judgment does not suggest that Israel is carrying out a genocide.

The UK government has repeatedly made clear that it will not use the term genocide to describe the war. Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the prime minister reiterated the government’s position calling for Israel to halt its offensive but added that legal judgments on terminology such as genocide were for international courts.

The spokesperson said it was up to a competent national or international court to make that judgment.

Khan has been roundly criticised by Jewish communal groups for his comments on Wednesday.

The Board of Deputies said the London mayor “risks exacerbating divisions in our own communities.

“The Mayor of London’s position clearly contradicts that stated by the UK Government in recent days. Sadiq Khan promised to be a mayor for all Londoners, yet this position will alienate large sections of London’s population.

“We would recommend that the Mayor sticks to fixing to issues facing Londoners rather than freelancing on foreign policy in ways that risk exacerbating divisions in our own communities,” a Board spokesperson said.

Criticising the remark, the Jewish Leadership Council said: “Many Jewish Londoners no longer feel represented by their mayor.

“As Mayor of one of the world's most diverse cities, Sadiq Khan has a responsibility to foster community cohesion and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that risks damaging it. However, since the beginning of this conflict, he has repeatedly sought to use his platform to commentate on foreign policy to the detriment of communities in London.

“We all share concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the Mayor's inaccurate and offensive language only deepens division.”

Earlier this month, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sawar also called the war in Gaza a genocide.

Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, said the government will not make a judgment on the use of legal terminology.

 “Our long-standing position is that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred should be made following a judgment by a competent national or international court.

“But as we’ve made extremely clear – what is happening in Gaza is appalling and we continue to call on Israel to change course immediately by halting its ground offensive and letting in a surge of humanitarian aid without delay.

“The death and destruction is causing an unbearable humanitarian catastrophe which not only devastates the lives of so many Palestinians but also puts the hostages at risk - as their families have rightly recognised.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the mayor reiterated Khan’s new position: “After seeing the mounting evidence, including from the UN commission, the mayor’s view is that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide. This is in line with many legal experts and genocide scholars who have also come out to say that war crimes and genocidal acts are being committed.

“Sadiq is clear that we need to see the international community - including our own government - do much, much more to put pressure on Israel to stop the brutal treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. Alongside this, he is absolutely clear that hostages held in appalling conditions must be released without delay.”

The spokesperson said: “The horrific and ongoing killing of so many innocent civilians in Gaza is absolutely appalling. New-born babies are dying due to a lack of supplies. The healthcare system has effectively collapsed. And it has been reported that 20,000 children have been killed.”