World News

Nigerian-British minister faces suspension over comment on Israeli offensives in Gaza

"She later tweeted an apology “for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance”

1.2k

A British-Nigerian minister, MP Kate Osamor, has been suspended by the United Kingdom’s Labour Party after she accused Israel of genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Osamor, however, has apologized for “any offence caused” over the message distributed to local party members on Friday.

The chief whip suspended her from the parliamentary party while an investigation was instituted into the matter, as Jewish groups have criticised the remarks.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) marks the six million Jews and other groups murdered during the Holocaust, alongside recent genocides.

Osamor, the MP for Edmonton had shared a photograph of herself at a Holocaust Educational Trust event.

She wrote: “Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza.”

She later tweeted an apology “for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance”.

Meanwhile, the Holocaust Educational Trust described her remarks as a “painful insult to survivors of the Holocaust”.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews called her comment “disgraceful”, while the Jewish Leadership Council accused her of abusing HMD to attack the Jewish state.

Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said it was not acceptable to equate the Holocaust to the situation in Gaza.

“What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised. But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is,” he said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: South Africa takes over G20 Presidency from Brazil, first African nation to lead the bloc

South Africa has taken over the presidency of the G20 from Brazil,...

Russian Pres. Putin signs decree for nuclear retaliation against non-nuclear states

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree allowing Moscow to...

India PM arrives in Nigeria, first by an Indian leader since 2007

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra...

Just in: Southwest plane with 99 passengers on board struck by gunfire in US

A Southwest Airlines plane was reportedly struck by gunfire at Dallas Love...

Tragedy strikes in China’s Zhuhai city, 35 killed, 40 injured in deadly car attack

A devastating car attack in southern China’s Zhuhai city has left 35...

Tragedy as 46-year-old man kills 4 family members, takes own life after Trump’s victory

A 46-year-old United States man, Anthony Nephew, has shot fatally himself, his...

Number of Nigerian Cybercriminals jailed in US surges, some bag lengthy sentences

The number of Nigerian cybercriminals who have been imprisoned in the United...

Canada shuts down Chinese-owned TikTok business operation, cites national security

The Canadian government has shut down the operations of the Chinese-owned TikTok...

Ex-US Pres. Obama congratulates Trump on presidential victory

In a bid to further strengthen democracy, former President of the United...

Updated: Donald Trump beats Kamala Harris in a crucial presidential race

Donald Trump, a Republican, has secured a remarkable victory in the US...

US poll: Harris postpones election night’s address till Thursday

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has announced that she won’t be addressing...

Just in: Trump wins US presidential election

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced on...

US election: Pres. Tinubu congratulates Trump

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump...

Trump, Harris secure their first statewide victories as polls close

Republican Donald Trump won eight states in Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election while...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Ghana’s Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is Commonwealth Secretary-General

The 56-nation Commonwealth has announced Ghana’s Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as its new...

3 Africans Vie for Commonwealth Secretary General post

An Analysis Three African candidates – Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Botchwey, Lesotho’s...

Trump’s wealth surges to $6.5bln as he re-enters Bloomberg Billionaires Index

Donald Trump’s wealth has climbed to $6.5 billion, positioning him at 481st...