Labour tries to wheel it back after smearing local election voters as ‘Hamas supporters’

Labour says it may be facing defeat in the West Midlands mayoral election. But instead of taking the opposition as a message on human rights in Palestine, a ‘senior source’ told the BBC:

It’s the Middle East, not West Midlands that will have won Street the Mayoralty. Once again Hamas are the real villains.

Andy Street is the Conservative mayoral candidate while contesting George Galloway-backed independent Akhmed Yakoob ran on a pro-Palestine ticket.

Labour are concerned a loss of support to Yakoob might mean Street wins. But slandering voters as Hamas supporters may not be the best approach.

Shortly after the quote surfaced, a Labour spokesperson attempted to walk it back:

The Labour Party has strongly condemned this racist quote which has not come from anyone who is speaking on behalf of the party or who’s values are welcome in the party.

Polls suggest the West Midlands mayoral outcome is very close with the result expected on 4 May.

“Outrageous”: Labour’s response to West Midlands’ mayoral election

Labour faced a barrage of criticism on social media for the briefing:

this is fucking OUTRAGEOUS from a senior labour party source on BBC live feed. What a fucking disgraceful thing to say. pic.twitter.com/CBqEc6HEZV

— Ben Smoke (@bencsmoke) May 3, 2024

Owen Jones said the quote showed Labour’s general attitude towards Muslims. The West Midlands Combined Authority has a significant Muslim population of 17%.

Indeed, the Forde report concluded that Keir Starmer oversees a “hierarchy of racism” in Labour – with accusations of antisemitism held as much more important than Islamophobia.

This quote from a Labour source is absolutely disgusting.

Once again Labour shows its bigoted contempt towards British Muslims.

Beyond vile! pic.twitter.com/aLuaivrhsT

— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) May 3, 2024

Momentum said the “Islamophobia” goes right to the top of the party:

This is an absolutely disgraceful comment – the 'senior Labour source' behind it should have no place in the party.

When it comes to Labour's problem with Islamophobia, the fish rots from the head. https://t.co/KgZcnVZN9s

— Momentum 🌹 (@PeoplesMomentum) May 3, 2024

Labour losing votes over Palestine

Starmer lost a lot of support when he said Israel “has the right” to cut off electricity and water for Palestinians in Gaza – a form of collective punishment.

He also ordered MPs, councillors and local parties not to attend Palestine solidarity marches.

Starmer and the Labour right’s colonial position is cemented through Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) and donations from Israel lobbyists. The Labour leader himself is a member of LFI and has received such lobbyist funding.

And accordingly, Starmer backed Israel’s assault on Gaza for four months.

Labour’s support continued well after the International Court of Justice found Palestinians are facing a “plausible” genocide at the hand of Israel’s war cabinet and military.

Dozens of Labour councillors have resigned over Labour’s position and its policing of pro-Palestine views.

Labour MP Margaret Hodge has said there are “very few who are daring to express their support” for Palestinians in the party.

In the Times Radio clip from October, Hodge spoke about Starmer’s crackdown on free speech on Israel:

Keir Starmer, beyond my expectations, moved in the most ruthless, determined and single-minded way… I thought this would all take a decade and it took less than three years

In the local elections, Labour has lost control of Oldham council because people voted for independent candidates critical of its position on Palestine. The Greens, meanwhile, have made gains across England.

We must stand up for free speech on foreign policy and condemn the racism of Starmer’s Labour.

Featured image via The Times – YouTube