A former Labour MP has hit out at the 'pure narcissism' of
Middlesbrough MP, , describing his comments over
the Al-Ahli Hospital as ‘unbelievably irresponsible’.
On the morning of Wednesday 18 October 2023, Mr McDonald
described the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital as an Israeli war
crime despite limited information being available at that
time.
After news disputing the claim that Israel was responsible for
the explosion came to light, , the former Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and
East Cleveland, told it was "time to apologise" in
a series of tweets, following the Middlesbrough MP's comments.
Replying to Mr McDonald, Mr Blenkinsop wrote:
"Stirring things up before facts are fully known also means,
sadly, that the Jewish diaspora in other countries are more
likely to face abuse, 'reprisals' and extreme danger.
"And continuing with it out of pure narcissism. Unbelievably
irresponsible."
Sir , Conservative MP for
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “The
Middlesbrough Labour Party is now in open dispute as it becomes
steadily more apparent how much the stain of the Corbyn years
continues to lurk just below its surface.
“This is an enormously sensitive moment both at home and abroad,
and what British MPs say really matters - as both and emphasised this week.
“In this context, for , without evidence, to accuse
Israel of committing a war crime by bombing the Al-Ahli Hospital
is ‘unbelievably irresponsible’.
“That’s not my verdict - that’s the judgement of the former
Labour MP for Middlesbrough South, , and I agree with him.
“MPs owe it to our own Jewish and Muslim populations, as well as
the wider cause of not escalating this conflict, not to make
inflammatory claims based on less than all the facts.
“The American government has concluded Israel was not responsible
for this awful incident, while our own intelligence agencies are
conducting an investigation. Yet shamefully Mr McDonald is
uncritically regurgitating the line of a terrorist organisation,
Hamas.”
For further reference, I include comments from the Prime
Minister and Sir Keir from yesterday's PMQs in which they both
express the seriousness by which comments made by MPs can have an
effect in the real world, leading to antisemitism and hate
crime: Engagements - Hansard - UK
Parliament
The Prime Minister: "We should not rush to
judgment before we have all the facts on this awful situation.
Every Member will know that the words we say here have an impact
beyond this House.
Full comment: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-18/debates/368230C3-9907-44CA-BB0D-47217057270F/Engagements#contribution-6F28971D-751B-43E6-AD29-25784365CD67
Sir : "As has been
alluded to, since Hamas’s terrorist attack our country has seen a
disgusting rise in antisemitism..."
Full comment here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-18/debates/368230C3-9907-44CA-BB0D-47217057270F/Engagements#contribution-F7729A63-6961-41D9-8F76-F89FE7EBCD60
Sir : "This is a
crisis where lives hang in the balance and where the enemies of
peace and democracy would like nothing more than for us to become
divided and to abandon our values."
Full comment here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-18/debates/368230C3-9907-44CA-BB0D-47217057270F/Engagements#contribution-458B89D6-99CC-44C7-A559-6239007397C1
