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'Truly shameful': LFI condemns Jeremy Corbyn's 'attempted cover up' after latest statement on Munich wreath-laying
Labour leader claims to have been 'present' but 'not actually involved' in tribute to terrorists
August 13, 2018 15:23
Labour leader claims to have been 'present' but 'not actually involved' in tribute to terrorists
August 13, 2018 15:23Jeremy Corbyn's attempt to calm anger about his laying a wreath at an event that commemorated Palestinian terrorists has been branded "a further insult to those savagely murdered at Munich and their bereaved relatives."
Speaking to Sky News on Monday afternoon, two days after the story broke, Mr Corbyn confirmed that “a wreath was laid by some of those who attended the conference for those who were killed in Paris in 1992" - who include Black September terrorists who carried out the 1972 kidnapping and killing of 11 Israelis.
But when asked by Sky whether he had been involved in that wreath laying, which happened in Tunis in 2014, Mr Corbyn said: “I was present when it was laid, I don’t think I was actually involved in it."
"I was there because I wanted to see a fitting memorial to everyone who’s died in every terrorist incident everywhere because we have to end it. You cannot pursue peace by a cycle of violence. The only way you pursue peace is a cycle of dialogue.”
Mr Corbyn's claim he was not "actually involved" in the wreath laying contradicted photos published by the Daily Mail that showed him laying the wreath in front of the graves of those killed in Paris in 1992, who were the members of the Black September. A memorial to people killed in an Israeli airstrike in 1985 - whom Mr Corbyn's team claimed he was honouring - was several metres away.
Jennifer Gerber, director of Labour Friends of Israel said: "Jeremy Corbyn's latest statement is a further insult to those savagely murdered at Munich and their bereaved relatives.
"He says he was paying respect to victims of terrorism when there is clear photographic evidence of him holding a wreath at the grave of the terrorists themselves. Jeremy Corbyn’s appalling actions, and Labour’s attempted cover up, is another truly shameful day for the party he leads."
Mr Corbyn's statement also contradicted Labour's press office's response to the story. They had said: "Jeremy did not honour those responsible for the Munich killings. He and other Parliamentarians went to the Palestinian cemetery in Tunisia to remember the victims of the 1985 Israeli bombing of the PLO headquarters."
Luciana Berger, the Jewish Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, tweeted a video of Mr Corbyn's latest comments, saying; "Being 'present' is the same as being involved. When I attend a memorial, my presence alone, whether I lay a wreath or not, demonstrates my association and support. There can also never be a 'fitting memorial' for terrorists. Where is the apology?"
Being “present” is the same as being involved. When I attend a memorial, my presence alone, whether I lay a wreath or not, demonstrates my association & support. There can also never be a “fitting memorial” for terrorists. Where is the apology? https://t.co/TNQpCs6mN2
— Luciana Berger (@lucianaberger) August 13, 2018
Tamara Cohen, political correspondent for Sky News, later tweeted a video of an interview she conducted with Mr Corbyn last year, where he talked about laying a wreath at the ceremony in the cemetery in Tunisia:
Corbyn's answer to me saying he laid a wreath in Tunisia; when I asked about Munich massacre perpetrator pic.twitter.com/AiWy6X7HCT
— Tamara Cohen (@tamcohen) May 29, 2017
