Labour MP Kate Osamor has whip suspended after Gaza comment in Holocaust Memorial Day post

The Edmonton MP later apologised "for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza".

Sunday 28 January 2024 20:49, UK

Pic: Richard Townshend/UK Parliament
Image: Pic: Richard Townshend/UK Parliament
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Labour MP Kate Osamor has had the Labour whip suspended while she is investigated for saying Gaza should be remembered as a genocide on Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Edmonton MP sent the message to her party members, saying Holocaust Memorial Day should be observed, but other genocides should also be remembered - and list Gaza as one of them.

She later posted on X: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since.

"I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance."

Ms Osamor is expected to meet party officials on Monday.

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The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the London Jewish Forum had called for the whip to be suspended, with the former labelling Ms Osamor's apology as "utterly hollow".

Earlier, on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds was asked whether the comments were acceptable.

"No, I don't think that it is," he said.

"What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised.

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"But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is.

"It's important on Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember that. And I understand Kate has apologised.

"There's been a conversation with the chief whip. There'll be further conversations next week, but of course we take anything in this space extremely seriously."

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