Labour’s Emily Thornberry says Jerusalem should be run by international body
The Shadow Foreign Secretary also cited Palestinian claims to parts of the city, but did not acknowledge Israeli claims
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has said she believes the city of Jerusalem should be run by an international body.
“Jerusalem should be an international capital of the entire world and it should be something that is run by an international body,” she said on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale, she discussed President Donald Trump and his three-day visit to the UK in June.
“Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was wrong,” she said, “and undermines international convention.”
But while she cited Palestinian claims to “part of Jerusalem for their state when it is eventually recognised,” she did not acknowledge Israeli claims to the city.
When asked whether she supports a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest, she replied: “If it’s Israel’s turn then it should be in Israel.
“I’m glad that it isn’t in Jerusalem. It’s much better that it’s in Tel Aviv,” she said.
When pressed further, she cited the Labour position, adding: “I will speak out when this dreadful right-wing Israeli government behaves in the way that it does.
“But that doesn’t mean that we don’t believe that shouldn’t be a state of Israel with Tel Aviv as its capital. And Tel Aviv therefore having the Eurovision Song Contest.”
A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: “It is absurd for Emily Thornberry to speak about Palestinian claims on the city of Jerusalem without even acknowledging Israel’s.
“We would expect her to clarify her inconsistencies and correct her one-sided view of this issue.”
Labour MP Dame Louise Ellman, LFI vice-chair, said: “I am deeply disturbed to see Emily Thornberry apparently advocating that Tel-Aviv should be Israel’s capital and that Jerusalem should be ruled by an international body.
“It is both British foreign policy and Labour Party policy that sovereignty over Jerusalem should be shared by Israelis and Palestinians following direct negotiations by both peoples to secure a two-state state solution to this tragic conflict.
“By mentioning only the Palestinian links to Jerusalem, the Jewish people’s current, historic and religious connection to the city is denied. This is totally unacceptable. I have written to Emily Thornberry asking for urgent clarification of her reported comment.”
The Labour Party has been approached for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
