Naz Shah, the Labour MP who was suspended after a series of inflammatory posts on social media about Jews and Israel, is set to meet the Jewish community.
Ms Shah, the MP for Bradford West, was asked to attend the meeting on Sunday by the Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) after she apologised for posts in which she supported the transportation of all Israelis to the US and likened Israel’s policies to those of Adolf Hitler.
A spokesman for the LJRC said that the public event at Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue in north Leeds was confirmed after Ms Shah had told parliament that the posts were “not excusable”,
He said that after news of the posts emerged, “the first thing we did was contact her and ask her for a meeting urgently.
“She got back to me and we had a long conversation in which she apologised, expressed remorse and indicated that she would be willing to meet the Jewish community publically to discuss what had been said.”
The LRJC representative refused to comment on Ms Shah’s suspension or what she had posted, calling the issue “a matter for the Labour Party,” but said the event would give the community a chance to raise those questions.
“It’s important for the community to get answers. Some questions will be pointed, and that’s because anyone can ask what they wish.
“We wouldn’t have had a meeting if she hadn’t have apologised. On this occasion we felt it was appropriate given the assurances we've been given and the apology that’s been made.”
Naz Shah did not respond to requests for comment.
An event in Manchester on June 5 featuring Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, is also set to pose hard-hitting questions about antisemitism in the party.
The North West Friends of Israel (NWFOI) panel discussion, titled “Antisemitism of the Left: A Labour Party Problem?”, will be chaired by Jewish Labour Movement head Jeremy Newmark.
Anthony Dennison, NWFOI co-chair, said he was “very proud” to have secured such a high-profile figure for the event.
“There are questions that need to be asked of the Labour Party,” he added, explaining that Mr Watson - who he called “an ardent Zionist and a real friend” - was well-placed to answer them.
“It’s important - not just for the Manchester community, and not just for the UK Jewish community, because antisemitism affects everyone.
“It must be stamped out of a party that sets itself up as one of equality and diversity. That was one of the reasons I joined the party years and years ago, and why I’m struggling to remain a member.”
