London’s Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been criticised by the Israeli embassy for comments made during an Eid al-Fitr video, accused of promoting Hamas propaganda without condemning the militant group.
London’s Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, has faced criticism from the Israeli embassy following remarks made in a video message marking Eid al-Fitr, which coincided with the end of Ramadan. The embassy accused Khan of endorsing “Hamas propaganda” by focusing on the humanitarian impact of the Israeli military operations in Gaza, while not specifically condemning Hamas or acknowledging the Israeli hostages held in the region.
The controversy erupted following Khan’s video posted on social media on March 30, where he highlighted the plight of Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict. He stated, “More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel’s ongoing military campaign, including more than 15,000 children,” basing his comments on figures reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Khan expressed his concern stating, “These betrayals of humanity should weigh heavily on our collective conscience. But I’m proud that, while the international community has chosen to avert its gaze, Londoners have not.”
The Israeli embassy responded sharply to Khan’s emphasis on the casualty figures, asserting that the Mayor’s claims were influenced by “Hamas propaganda” and dismissing the figures as lacking factual basis. An embassy spokesman stated, “Firstly, we would like to emphasise to Mr Khan that the war is a result of the brutal and horrific attack by Hamas, a proscribed terror organisation in the UK, which was imposed on Israel on Oct 7.” They expressed concern over the lack of condemnation of Hamas in Khan’s statements and highlighted the urgency of addressing the plight of the 59 Israeli hostages purportedly held in Gaza. The spokesman added, “It is alarming that, throughout the message, there is no mention of Hamas or any condemnation of terrorism and a call for the release of 59 hostages that are being held in horrific and inhumane conditions.”
Khan’s video also included expressions of gratitude towards London’s Muslim communities for their contributions and charity, stating, “As Eid celebrations begin worldwide, I want to pay tribute to London’s Muslim communities for their charity and invaluable contribution, which help make our capital the greatest city in the world.” His message concluded with well wishes for the holiday, reflecting the spirit of Eid and the significance of the occasion for many in the capital.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza, particularly the differing narratives and interpretations of events that have emerged during the escalation of violence.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-shame-of-sadiq-khans-eid-message/ – This article criticizes Sadiq Khan’s Eid message, suggesting it politicizes the Israel-Palestinian conflict by focusing on casualties without condemning Hamas. It reflects the controversy surrounding his comments on Gaza.
- https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/sadiq-khan-responds-to-backlash-over-gaza-comments/ – This article discusses Sadiq Khan’s response to criticism over his Eid message, where he highlighted the suffering in Gaza without condemning Hamas. It includes reactions from Jewish groups and Khan’s statement condemning Hamas attacks.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63766155 – Although not directly available, similar BBC articles often cover the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and could support the context of Gaza’s humanitarian situation and the differing narratives on the conflict.
- https://www.islamchannel.tv/news/view/sadiq-khan-eid-message – This could potentially cover Sadiq Khan’s Eid message, focusing on his tribute to Muslim communities in London and his comments on international conflicts. However, it’s not directly accessible in the search results.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/israel-hamas-gaza-war-at-a-glance – This article provides an overview of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including the role of Hamas and the humanitarian impact, which supports the context of Sadiq Khan’s comments.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and a specific video posted on March 30, indicating it is contemporary. However, the general subject matter is ongoing and frequently reported.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes are present but lack specific online verification. They appear contextual and consistent with the narrative, though their original publication or first use could not be confirmed online.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a known publication. However, the reliability can be influenced by the specific context and potential biases in reporting on sensitive topics.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The content includes verifiable figures and is aligned with current geopolitical issues.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears fresh and relevant, discussing recent political turmoil. While quotes lack online verification, the source is generally reliable. The plausibility of claims is high due to alignment with ongoing geopolitical tensions.
