Articles by Lee Harpin

Government & Politics

Gove urges Starmer to deliver ‘comprehensive anti-extremism strategy’ after synagogue attack Former cabinet minister tells Jewish News last Tory government failed to effectively deliver plan to tackle extremism

October 6, 2025   

(Jewish News) Conservative peer and former cabinet minister Michael Gove has called on Keir Starmer’s government to introduce a “fundamental and comprehensive anti-extremism strategy” following the terror attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester. Speaking to Jewish News at the Conservative Party […]

Crime

Interview: Falconer says UK government clear-eyed to threat posed by Tehran to UK Jews Middle East minister Hamish Falconer spoke to Jewish News about E3 decision to impose snapback sanctions on Iran

August 28, 2025   

(Jewish News) Middle East minister Hamish Falconer has insisted the UK government remains “clear-eyed” about the threat the Iranian regime poses to British Jews in this country, adding this is one reason why Tehran now faces the reimposition of sweeping new sanctions. Speaking […]

Government & Politics

Pro-Gaza MP suggests Shoah victims could have been offered ‘land for a homeland in Europe’ Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain was attempting to defend Jeremy Corbyn's position on Zionism

August 28, 2025   

(Jewish News) Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain has appeared to suggest Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust could have been provided “with land for a homeland, in Europe” rather than in Israel during an online debate about Zionism. The independent MP, elected on […]

Government & Politics

Zarah Sultana previously expressed support for antisemitism definition she now opposes Anti-Israel MP expressed support for IHRA in 2019 survey

August 20, 2025   

(Jewish News) Anti-Israel MP Zarah Sultana “willingly” expressed support for the IHRA definition of antisemitism during the 2019 general election, despite now accusing Jeremy Corbyn of “capitulating” to those who support it. Jewish News has learned that the Coventry South independent MP, now […]

Demonstrations

Notorious doctor claims quarter of UK MPs are ‘collaborators and foreign agents’ for Israel in demo rant Dr [Rahmeh] Aladwan, facing multiple complaints of antisemtism, told Leeds pro-Palestine demo anti-Zionist Jews have duty to 'hold Jewish communities accountable'

August 16, 2025   

(Jewish News) A doctor facing multiple complaints of antisemitism has delivered another inflammatory speech to pro-Palestine activists in Leeds in which she claimed a quarter of UK MPs are “collaborators” and “foreign agents” who “put the interests of Israel above the interests […]

Government & Politics

MP uses ‘gas chambers’ slur as he criticises Israeli plan to ‘concentrate’ Gazans in Rafah Independent MP Adnan Hussain had shared a report on comments made by an Israeli minister on plans to 'concentrate' the population of Gaza in Rafah

July 8, 2025   

(Jewish News) The independent MP Adnan Hussain has drawn criticism after referencing “gas chambers” as he shared a newspaper report on Israel’s defence minister calling for the IDF to “concentrate” the population of Gaza in an area of Rafah. Highlighting the word “concentrate” the […]

Arts & Entertainment

Culture secretary accuses pro-Gaza MP of ‘aligning himself with antisemites’ Independent MP Ayoub Khan had attempted to downplay chantings of 'Death to the IDF' at Glastonbury

June 30, 2025   

(Jewish News) A Labour minister has accused the pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan of “doing nothing for the Palestinian cause by aligning himself with antisemites.” In a fiery Commons exchange, Lisa Nandy took issue with [the] Birmingham Perry Barr [MP after] he responded […]

Animals

[Government] rejects call to ban ‘barbaric non-stun slaughter’ after defending Jewish and Muslim beliefs Debate held after petition saying 'non-stun slaughter is barbaric and doesn’t fit in with our culture and modern-day values and should be banned' attracts 109,018 signatures

June 10, 2025   

(Jewish News) The government has rejected a call to ban the non-stun slaughter of animals after defending the right of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their beliefs. A Westminster Hall debate took place on Monday after a […]

Government & Politics

Government working tirelessly to ensure safety of UK Jews, says minister after Iranian arrests Jewish News understands there have been security fears recently for Iranian dissidents in this country who have expressed opposition to the regime in Tehran and support for Israel

May 7, 2025   

(Jewish News) Home Office minister Dan Jarvis has given a “categorical assurance” that the government will work “tirelessly” with the Community Security Trust and other communal organisations to ensure the safety of Britain’s Jews. Jarvis made the pledge after giving an update […]

Gender Separation

Pro-Gaza candidate who backed segregated spaces for Muslims wins local election seat Maheen Kamran, 18, has been elected as a councillor for Burnley Central East after being inspired by the Gaza war to enter politics

May 2, 2025   

(Jewish News) A pro-Gaza independent candidate who called for segregated areas to end the mixing of Muslim men and women has triumphed in a local election in Burnley, Lancashire. Maheen Kamran was elected as a councillor for Burnley Central East with 1,357 votes on […]

Government & Politics

Activist group trying to use UK courts for war crimes claim against Israeli minister denies Hezbollah link Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) say they are facing a 'baseless smear campaign' and founder Dyab Abou Jahjah has 'never' been a Hezbollah member

April 17, 2025   

(Jewish News) One of two organisations attempting to pursue a private prosecution in the UK against an Israeli minister has denied its founder has links with the Hezbollah terror organisation. The Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) announced on Wednesday that it had joined […]

Clerics & Preachers

Minister addresses concerns over government engagement with those accused of extremism Tory MP Nick Timothy raised concerns about Communities Minister Jim McMahon's decision to attend an iftar event organised by the European Islamic Centre

March 31, 2025   

(Jewish News) A senior minister has addressed concerns over government engagement with individuals and groups accused of links with Islamist extremism. Security Minister Dan Jarvis told MPs on Monday that the Labour government takes tackling extremism “incredibly seriously” but added it would not […]

Employment

Measures in place as Civil Service Muslim Network allowed to resume activity Exclusive: The cross-government umbrella network that represents and supports Muslim civil servants faced claims an official had shared antisemitic tropes as he discussed Israel at meetings

March 27, 2025   

(Jewish News) A Muslim civil service group has been allowed to resume its activities after measures were put in place to oversee future meetings following an investigation into claims that antisemitic tropes had been circulated. The Civil Service Muslim Network — a […]

Clerics & Preachers

Labour MP leads calls for anti-Israel hate preacher to be banned from UK visit Preacher Mohamed Hoblos is scheduled to be speaking at a new mosque in Middlesbrough on February 23

February 12, 2025   

(Jewish News) The government “will look carefully” into calls from MPs and community leaders to prevent an extremist preacher who has expressed support for Hamas from appearing at a new mosque in Middlesbrough. MP Luke Myer told the Commons he is “very concerned” […]

Government & Politics

Islamist extremism ‘the foremost threat we face,’ security minister tells MPs Dan Jarvis was outlining the findings of a Prevent learning review which looked at the late MP Sir David Amess’s killer Ali Harbi Ali

February 12, 2025   

(Jewish News) Home Office minister Dan Jarvis has suggested the anti-terror Prevent programme has been underestimating the threat posed by Islamist extremism. Dan Jarvis told the Commons that Islamist referrals into [the] Prevent programme increased by 17 per cent last year. But […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Former JNF UK [trustee’s] Charity Commission disqualification order quashed Tribunal overturns two-and-half-year ban on Gary Mond, citing 'right to freedom of expression'

February 10, 2025   

(Jewish News) A Charity Commission disqualification order against National Jewish Assembly chair Gary Mond has been quashed after a tribunal ruled in favour of his right to free speech. Mond was disqualified from acting as a charity trustee or senior manager for […]

Government & Politics

Anti-Israel MP jeered over ‘hostages on both sides’ comment Downing Street stresses PM does not agree with MP Iqbal Mohamed's comparison, despite not calling him out on it during PMQs

January 22, 2025   

(Jewish News) An MP has been criticised after calling for the release of “hostages on both sides” in a question put to Keir Starmer on the Gaza conflict during PMQs. The independent MP Iqbal Mohamed asked a question relating to allegations about Israel and […]

Demonstrations

Labour urged to investigate MP Kim Johnson over promotion of Islamist group Liverpool Riverside MP also spoke at the latest pro-Palestine demo where she accused Israel of using drones to 'deliberately target children'

December 3, 2024   

(Jewish News) Labour has been urged to investigate the conduct of the MP Kim Johnson after she promoted the activities of Islamist advocacy group CAGE on social media. Last weekend the firebrand MP also sparked further communal anger when she told a […]

Law Enforcement

Ten Palestine Action activists arrested on suspicion of terror offences Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) [confirmed] arrests in connection with investigation into attack on Israeli-owned Elbit Systems UK in August

November 20, 2024   

(Jewish News) Counter-terrorism cops have arrested ten individuals linked to the Palestine Action group in connection with an ongoing investigation into attacks on the defence technology firm Elbit Systems UK. After the granting of a series of warrants across the country on […]

Government & Politics

Starmer rebukes pro-Gaza MP at PMQs over failure to mention 7 October massacre Prime minister says Ayoub Khan would be wise to start a question about 'genocide' with reference to what happened in October last year

November 13, 2024   

(Jewish News) Keir Starmer has criticised an MP elected on a pro-Gaza ticket for failing to reference either Hamas or the October 7 terror attack after he quizzed him in the Commons. During PMQs on Wednesday Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for […]

Government & Politics

Report says Tower Hamlets council slow to act over Palestine flag concerns Damning government inspectors' report says it is 'not clear' east London council, led by mayor Lutfur Rahman, has managed community tensions over Gaza effectively

November 12, 2024   

(Jewish News) The government is set to appoint “ministerial envoys” to oversee Tower Hamlets Council after inspectors found a “toxic” political environment which included a failure to manage tensions caused by the on-going conflict in Gaza. Decisions now made by the east London […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Redbridge councillor exposed over pro-Hezbollah and racist social media posts Clayhall ward councillor Kabir Mahmud accuses black American politician Lloyd Austin of having 'slavery in your soul'

November 11, 2024   

(Jewish News) A Redbridge councillor has posted highly inflammatory messages on social media, including a call for terror group Hezbollah to get “more powerful rockets to do maximum damage to the Zionist” along with an apparent racist jibe at a black US […]

Crime

Home Office discussing possible Palestine Action ban Exclusive: By their own admission the pro-Palestine group is facing criminal action against '16 political prisoners in Britain, 11 of which have not yet faced trial'

November 6, 2024   

(Jewish News) Discussions are taking place within the Home Office over the possible steps to proscribe the Palestine Action protest group, while police chiefs vowed to use the “full force of the law” to pursue activists responsible for criminal incidents last weekend. […]

Demonstrations

Police quiz two women over pro-Hezbollah placards at Palestine demo Following a Jewish News report, Met Police identified the females allegedly displaying pro-Hezbollah banners at a protest in central London earlier this month

October 17, 2024   

(Jewish News) Police have interviewed two people under caution who are alleged to have been holding placards showing support for the proscribed Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah at a pro-Palestine demo in London earlier this month. Earlier this month Jewish News exclusively revealed […]

Demonstrations

Pro-Hezbollah placards openly displayed at latest Palestine demo Jewish News confronts group of females at PSC protest holding banners defending proscribed group

October 5, 2024   

(Jewish News) Protesters attending Saturday’s pro-Palestine demo in central London openly displayed placards expressing support for the proscribed terror group Hezbollah, Jewish News can reveal. A group of female attendees assembled across the road from Russell Square tube station, where the march […]

Crime

Islamist activist jailed after provoking ‘immediate unlawful violence’ Majid Novsarka, also known as Majid Freeman, has been jailed for 22 weeks following riots in Leicester in 2022

September 10, 2024   

(Jewish News) A notorious Islamist activist, who was at the centre of one of the recently elected pro-Palestine [MPs’] election campaigns, has been jailed for attempts to spark “immediate unlawful violence.” Majid Novsarka, also known as Majid Freeman, was sentenced to 22 […]

Children & Teens

50 peers accuse the IHRC charity of ‘primitive and dangerous antisemitism’ Top peers from across all parties have responded to claims made by the pro-Iran IHRC that 'Zionist financiers abroad' fuelled UK far-right riots

August 9, 2024   

(Jewish News) A letter signed by 50 senior peers has accused the Islamic Human Rights Commission of “primitive, dangerous and disgraceful antisemitism” after the charity’s chair blamed “Zionist financiers abroad” for the far-right riots in the UK. The peers — who included Lord Finkelstein, […]

Government & Politics

Independent MP recorded telling Muslim male voters they had ‘duty’ to vote for him Iqbal Mohamed, who won in Dewsbury & Batley, denies breaching strict rules on improper religious interference at the general election

July 28, 2024   

(Jewish News) A newly elected Muslim independent MP has been recorded telling people to “follow the teachings of the prophet” and vote for him, days before the general election. Iqbal Mohamed, who won in Dewsbury & Batley, and faced claims that his […]

Government & Politics

Former councillor exposed by JN for questioning extent of Hamas crimes now an MP Ayoub Khan won the Birmingham Perry [Barr] seat as independent candidate, having been previously exposed by Jewish News for questioning Hamas crimes on Oct 7 in Tik Tok posts

July 9, 2024   

(Jewish News) A former Liberal Democrat councillor, previously exposed by Jewish News for questioning the extent of crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, has been elected as an independent MP. Ayoub Khan took the Birmingham Perry [Barr] seat at last week’s […]

Government & Politics

New MP who said election win was ‘for Gaza’ is brother of Islamist group founder Exclusive: Shockat Adam, who defeated former Labour shadow minister Jon Ashworth in Leicester South, is brother of Ismail Patel, who 'saluted' Hamas' attacks on 7 October

July 6, 2024   

(Jewish News) A newly elected MP who dedicated his victory to “the people of Gaza” is the brother of the founder of the hardline Islamist group Friends of Al Aqsa, it can be revealed. Shockat Adam was the surprise winner in Leicester […]

Internet

Man, 43, arrested in west London on suspicion of showing support for Hamas Officers search address and detain man who was arrested following tip-off over online posts

June 13, 2024   

(Jewish News) A 43-year-old man has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command over online posts allegedly related to the proscribed terrorist group Hamas. Following a tip-off, counter-terrorism officers arrested the male in west London on Wednesday, 12 June, on suspicion […]

Alcohol & Drugs

Golders Green kosher supermarket knife attacker avoids prison Gabriel Abdullah, 34, was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to undertake alcohol treatment by a judge after waving a knife and threatening to attack staff at Golders Green kosher store

June 12, 2024   

(Jewish News) A man who brandished a knife outside [a] kosher supermarket in Golders Green and shouted antisemitic abuse at staff in a terrifying incident that shocked the community has avoided a jail term, reports claim. Gabriel Abdullah, 34, was arrested on […]

Government & Politics

Immigration minister raises issues over visa scheme for Palestinians to come to UK MPs from across all parties have spoken in support of a Ukraine-style scheme to allow Palestinians with families in the UK to escape the conflict in Gaza

May 14, 2024   

(Jewish News) Immigration minister Tom Pursglove has said calls for the UK government to set up a Gaza family visa scheme for Palestinians to come to this country would be kept “under review” during a debate in Westminster. Responding to a succession of speeches […]

Government & Politics

Board presidential hopefuls respond to claims of Islamisation of UK politics Four Board presidential candidates take part in hustings at JFS school ahead of May 12 vote

May 9, 2024   

(Jewish News) The four Board of Deputies presidential candidates have displayed differing approaches to answering potentially problematic questions at a hustings ahead of Sunday’s election. At a well-attended event at JFS school on Wednesday evening, hosted expertly by former British Ambassador to […]

Academics & Education

NUS reaches undisclosed settlement with ‘anti-Zionist’ former president Shaima Dallali admits that tweet that got her sacked was antisemitic as she settles with student union

May 7, 2024   

(Jewish News) The National Union of Students has reached a settlement with ex-president Shaima Dallali, after she admitted a tweet posted on social media in 2012, for which she apologised, was antisemitic. A statement agreed by both parties confirmed that “a settlement […]

Government & Politics

Greens confirm probe into new councillor after shout of ‘Allahu akbar’ Chair of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council writes to party leaders about serious concerns over city councillor Mothin Ali

May 6, 2024   

(Jewish News) The Green Party has confirmed it is investigating into a newly elected councillor who described his victory as a “win for the people of Gaza.” The chair of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council had written to the co-leaders of the […]

Demonstrations

Sadiq Khan apologises to chief rabbi for hinting at Islamophobia over his ceasefire call Exclusive: London mayor reaches out to Ephraim Mirvis after claiming Jewish criticism had been influenced by his Muslim-sounding name

April 26, 2024   

(Jewish News) Sadiq Khan has apologised to the chief rabbi after implying that Ephraim Mirvis’s criticism of his call for a Gaza ceasefire was influenced by his Muslim-sounding name. In an interview with the broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, the mayor of London suggested he […]

Internet

Woman, 23, charged with terror offence after probe into support of Hamas Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command charge woman from north-west London after investigation into online support of proscribed terrorist group Hamas

April 19, 2024   

(Jewish News) Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have charged a woman with a terror offence as part of an investigation into online support of proscribed terrorist group Hamas. Sara El-Houssein, 23, of north-west London was charged on Thursday, 21 March, […]

Government & Politics

Tory local election candidate stands down after ‘jew pigs’ social media post emerges Exclusive: Azmat Husain has withdrawn from contest in Eccles, Salford, but tells Jewish News a 'jew pigs' Facebook post was 'fake'

April 3, 2024   

(Jewish News) A Conservative Party candidate has withdrawn from the forthcoming local elections after a social media post emerged in which he appeared to have used the words “jew pigs.” Azmat Husain had been due to stand as the Tory candidate for […]

Government & Politics

Tower Hamlets Council refuses to disclose how many Palestinian flags it has taken down In response to a freedom of information request asking how many Palestinian flags it had taken down following complaints by residents Tower Hamlets said disclosure could 'endanger the safety of individuals'

March 13, 2024   

(Jewish News) An East London council has refused to answer a freedom of information (FOI) request asking to know how many Palestinian flags they have removed from lamp posts and other public property in the borough on the grounds that to do […]

Demonstrations

Claims of ‘no-go zones for Jews’ in London ‘total and utter fiction,’ says Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has accused the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism Robin Simcox of making claims about 'no-go [zones] for Jews' that have 'nothing to do with reality'

March 8, 2024   

(Jewish News) Suggestions that there are no-go zones in London for Jews are “a total and utter fiction,” Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has said. Responding to claims made by Robin Simcox, the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism, who suggested that […]

Demonstrations

CST chief says claims London a no-go zone for Jews during Gaza protests ‘deeply troubling’ Mark Gardner, the CST’s chief executive, told Radio 4’s Today programme there was ’huge element of truth’ in the claim about the West End during pro-Palestine events

March 8, 2024   

(Jewish News) A newspaper headline claiming London’s streets have become a “no-go zone for Jews” during pro-Palestinian protests is “deeply troubling,” the Community Security Trust’s chief executive has claimed, but he added that “it also contains a huge element of truth.” Mark […]