Challenged by Tories, Sadiq Khan says ‘I don’t support boycotts of Israel’
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Tory MP Mike Freer claimed that figures at all levels of the Labour Party have “shown sympathy” for the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.
The Finchley and Golders Green MP said: “From its highest levels, right through to its local councilors and MPs in London and affiliated trade unions, the Labour Party has shown sympathy for these boycotts. It is time for Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan to come clean with Londoners about whether he supports them too.”
But Khan told the Jewish News: “I have consistently made absolutely clear that I do not support boycotts, sanctions or divestment of Israel. We won’t achieve peace by turning our faces against Israel.”
It comes a week after the Government published guidelines aimed at deterring local authorities and other public bodies from boycotting Israel, warning it could lead to penalties under the existing World Trade Agreement against the boycotter and the UK government under the World Trade Agreement. While Labour has a long-standing policy against boycotts, Jeremy Corbyn condemned the move as “undemocratic”.
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