UK Conservatives Accuse Labour of Antisemitism Over Israeli Settlement Sanctions

The leadership of the UK's Conservative Party has sharply criticized the British government's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, arguing that these settlements hinder the creation of a Palestinian state. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour Party of singling out Israel among all nations. She stated, "All doubts have been dispelled that Jeremy Corbyn may have lost leadership of the party, but within the party his point of view has won," referencing the former Labour leader who faced accusations of antisemitism. Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat declared, "The government is turning Israel into a pariah, while simultaneously dividing society in our country and fueling the violence of antisemites on our streets. These actions aid the election campaign of extremists in Israel itself, torpedoing the actions of moderates seeking unity."

Representatives from British Jewish organizations also accused the government of encouraging extremism and violence against Jews. They specifically noted that the decision was made just before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Ephraim Mirvis, stated, "For British Jews, this is a dark day. Our government has decided to ignore the concerns expressed by many of us. You have become the standard-bearers of false anti-Israel fabrications and those who do not hide their dangerous obsession with the Jewish state."