Jews in the News: 24th August

In this regular column, The Jewish Stand’s political editor, Joseph Gellman, sums up the latest developments in British politics that relate to Jewry and Israel.

Miliband and Sa’ar clash over E1 settlement 

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has clashed with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over E1 settlement plans in the West Bank.

Miliband released a statement calling the plans “an unacceptable and destructive act.” He argued that they would “endanger the viability of a two-state solution.”

Israel’s Charge d’Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office, where the Government’s objections and demand for a reversal were made clear.

Sa’ar responded by accusing Miliband of issuing a “patronising” criticism, with The Telegraph reporting his view that the Government has “damage[d] the relationship” between the UK and Israel.

The dispute will likely continue as Israel’s legislative election in October approaches. 

Green Party group chat suggests anti-Jewish hostility is ‘understandable’

A group chat used by Green Party activists discussed “killing zionists” and suggested anti-Jewish hostility in the UK is “understandable”.

The Times reports that one member stated they want Israel “wiped off the map”, while another suggested that supporting “killing Zionists” is “wrong but not necessarily racist”. 

The latter member also said it was wrong to lump “all Jews in with the majority of Israeli Jews as Genociders”, but that such a view is “understandable.” 

The comments were condemned by Labour MP David Taylor, who argued they “go to show how extreme the Green Party has become”. 

Meanwhile, an activist who praised the “Iranian resistance” has been elected to the party’s ruling body, as reported in The Telegraph. 

Children’s Commissioner warns of social media extremism

The Children’s Commissioner has warned that children are being “intoxicated with extremism” on social media.

The Times reports Dame Rachel de Souza’s comments in a report which cited experts being “deeply concerned that children are being drawn into radicalisation and violence fascination online”.

She called for measures to tackle such radicalisation, including advertising bans, curfews, and blocks on contact from strangers.