Become a Member
Ian Austin

ByIan Austin, Ian Austin

Opinion

Boot them out, Sir Keir, for the good of the party

Labour should cast adrift backbenchers like John McDonnell, Apsana Begum and Tahir Ali

February 8, 2024 10:04
1348086771
Apsana Begum MP (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
3 min read

On October 7, London teacher Latifa Abouchakra posted an ecstatic video celebrating the Hamas attacks in southern Israel.

She praised the atrocities as a “triumph” and “homecoming”, called Hamas terrorists “armed fighters” and said the hostages were “settlers” and “prisoners of war”.

Despite all that, Labour MP and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell was billed to share a platform and speak alongside her at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign event in Harrow on 20 January (it is unclear if he knew in advance she would be speaking, although they were both advertised).

On 29 May, 1972, a group of Japanese students flew into Tel Aviv’s Lod airport. After collecting their luggage, they pulled out hand grenades and automatic weapons and started shooting indiscriminately. Twenty-six people were murdered and more than 70 were injured.