UK Muslim groups slam government for ‘scapegoating’ Gaza anti-genocide protests as antisemitism

(Benjamin Cremel/AFP) Off The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has taken aim at the UK government for promoting “inaccurate and counterproductive” narratives linking pro-Palestine marches to antisemitic violence. In a statement on Sunday, the MCB condemned the stabbing of two Jewish men in a northwest London neighbourhood with a large Jewish population, saying it stands “in solidarity with the Jewish community facing an abhorrent rise in antisemitism”. The MCB, the largest umbrella body representing Muslim organisations in Britain, counts more than 500 affiliates, including mosques, schools, local and county councils, professional networks and advocacy groups. The group added that “attempts to frame British Muslims, or all who advocate for Palestinian rights, as collectively responsible for rising antisemitism are inaccurate and counterproductive”. The comments, which did not name individuals, appeared to target the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who earlier this week conflated antisemitic attacks with pro-Palestine protests against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Nun assaulted in Jerusalem amid 'pattern' of anti-Christian attacks by Israelis Read More » The MCB also said the suspect accused of attacking two Jewish men on 29 April had earlier targeted a Muslim man, Ishmail Hussein, at his home in Southwark. “It is notable that far less attention was given to the fact that the attacker, recently discharged from a psychiatric unit, also targeted a Muslim man, Ishmail Hussein, that very morning. It speaks to a disparity that raises serious questions,” the MCB statement said. Birmingham MP Ayoub Khan also challenged the lack of attention given to the Muslim victim. In a post on X, he said: “Three charges of attempted murder, and it appears that this was both an antisemitic and Islamophobic attack. Why is the media ignoring the attack on the Muslim victim, though? This disparity is disturbing, to say the least.” Journalist Owen Jones also criticised the coverage, writing: “What? He’s been charged with THREE counts of attempted murder. The third alleged victim is Ishmail Hussein. What is the editorial justification for not even stating that it’s three counts of attempted murder?” In a separate statement, the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) said the attack was being used to “prosecute a case already prepared - against Muslim communities, against Palestinian solidarity, against the right to dissent.” “The Islamophobia that has poured through our mainstream media since is neither subtle nor incidental. It is the story,” it added. “The calls to ban pro-Palestine marches — while the far right is handed free passage through central London — confirm what this is. A selective assault on civil liberties, dressed in the language of safety. When hatred is instrumentalised this way, no community is safe,” it said. UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0