Government & Politics

UK election: What is The Muslim Vote — and why does it matter? The campaign backs a list of MPs for the election, and has been driven by Labour's early support for Israel’s war on Gaza

(Middle East Eye) Launched in December 2023, The Muslim Vote (TMV) is a campaign in the UK supporting parliamentary candidates for the upcoming election in constituencies with a significant Muslim electorate. Much of its driving force has been the early support from the […]

Government & Politics

Anger over Starmer’s Gaza stance dents Labour election glory Opposition thumps Conservatives in local polls, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's leadership may survive his party's losses

(National-UAE) Labour’s elation at thumping the Conservatives in the England and Wales local elections has been tempered by concern that it is losing key voter blocs, particularly in Muslim communities, over its stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Labour’s attempt to unseat 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

(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 […]

Government & Politics

Michael Gove names far-right and Islamist groups which could fall under fresh extremism definition The communities secretary insisted the government has no intention of restricting 'freedom of expression, religion or belief,' as critics warned the new definition could have a 'chilling effect' on free speech.

(Sky News) Michael Gove has named five groups that will be re-assessed as a result of the government’s new definition of extremism. Speaking in the Commons, the communities secretary said two far-right organisations — the British National Socialist Movement and the Patriotic […]

Clerics & Preachers

Hate preachers to be blocked from entering the UK in fresh crackdown on extremism Ministers already have powers to block people who are 'non-conducive to the public good' — and believe they can be extended to include individuals preaching racism and incitement.

(Sky News) Hate preachers are to be banned from entering the UK. It is understood that officials will identify the most dangerous extremists from countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia and add them to a warning list. Anyone on that list will […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

In Britain, shockwaves from Israel-Hamas war are jolting domestic politics The United States and several European nations have been caught up in toxic debates that have altered election campaigns and led to eruptions of inflammatory language over the conflict.

(NY Times) Inside Britain’s Parliament, lawmakers jeered, booed, and stormed out of the House of Commons to protest the speaker’s handling of a vote calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Outside, a crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators projected the slogan, “From the river […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

UK’s Tories tear themselves apart over Islamophobia A row over a suspended MP has triggered a days-long debate in the governing party about anti-Muslim hatred.

(Politico) Britain’s Conservatives have yet another civil war on their hands. The governing party has spent much of the past week publicly agonizing about anti-Muslim prejudice — and the bitter row shows no signs of subsiding. Lee Anderson, the party’s former deputy […]

Demonstrations

Police ‘actively looking’ for individuals over antisemitic signs at pro-Palestinian march While a march in the capital calling for a ceasefire in Gaza remained largely peaceful, images are circulating on social media showing some protesters having carried antisemitic signs. Sky News has also seen antisemitic graffiti close to the route.

(Sky News) The Metropolitan Police has said it is “actively looking” for individuals pictured carrying antisemitic placards at the pro-Palestinian march in London. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a march in the capital on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire […]

Crime

Kosher restaurant in Golders Green vandalised as Met Police step up patrols in London Metropolitan Police patrols have been increased in London after reports of groups of people celebrating Hamas’ attack on Israel.

(LBC) Pictures from Golders Green this morning show the front doors of popular kosher restaurant Pita in Golders Green had been vandalised with reports the till had been stolen. “Free Palestine” graffiti had been daubed on a nearby railway bridge. It is […]

Books

Fury as Iran-linked IHRC stages Wembley event chaired by disgraced academic Miller Exclusive: Board says Friday evening event, also featuring pro-Corbyn writer Asa Winstanley at the Islamic Human Rights Commission's HQ in north London, 'shows utter contempt for Jewish community'

(Jewish News) A human rights organisation alleged to have close links with Iran is at the centre of renewed controversy over its staging of an event featuring the disgraced sociology professor David Miller and a writer criticised over antisemitism claims. The Islamic […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Tory ‘turmoil’ stopped party tackling Islamophobia in its ranks Two years after a report into discrimination within the party concluded, its author says progress has been 'slow' due to multiple changes at the top.

(Sky News) The “turmoil” at the top of the Tories has led to “slow” progress in tackling Islamophobia within the party, an independent reviewer has said. Boris Johnson launched an inquiry into discrimination within its ranks after the last election in 2019. […]