Sadiq Khan blasted by Israel for ‘parroting Hamas ’ | UK | News | EUROtoday

London’s Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has come below fireplace from the capital’s Israeli embassy, after they accused him of parroting “Hamas propaganda” in a video message celebrating Eid.

The Labour Mayor was slammed by the embassy after he didn’t instantly condemn the terrorist group whereas criticising Israel’s ongoing army marketing campaign in Gaza.

The row kicked off on March 30, when Khan posted a video message on social media celebrating Eid al-Fitr and the top of the holy month of Ramadan. In the video, he touched on a number of subjects, considered one of which included the plight of many Muslims in Gaza who had been killed on account of Israel’s army operation.

In the quick clip he mentioned: “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”, a reference to statistics offered by the Gaza Ministry of Health.

He added: “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.”

It was these remark specifically that the Israeli embassy took situation with, as they criticised Khan for failing to sentence Hamas, whereas additionally neglecting to say the 59 hostages nonetheless being held in Gaza. They additionally rebuked the statistic saying that the claimed loss of life toll was taken from “Hamas propaganda” and never primarily based on info.

Figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health have been used all through the battle to evaluate the size of fatalities through the struggle, with many notable organisations together with the BBC and United Nations acknowledging them as credible.

Israel nonetheless has all the time disputed the numbers.

An embassy spokesman mentioned: “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.

“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.”

In their rebuttal, the embassy additionally acknowledged that Hamas militants had “murdered people of all faiths and none with impunity” on October 7.

The spokesman added: “On that day, among the many innocent men, women, and children murdered, Hamas also murdered over 20 Muslim Israelis and kidnapped an additional six.

“Indeed, in recent days, Hamas has tortured and murdered many Gazans protesting against the terror group, including Uday al-Rabbay. The values that Mr Khan speaks of must not be applied selectively.”

Al-Rabby, 22, was kidnapped and killed final month after he had been concerned in a protest in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip. Hamas reportedly tortured him for 4 hours earlier than lastly returning his physique, coated in blood to his grieving household’s residence.

In response to the embassy’s criticism, a spokesman for the Mayor insisted he had strongly condemned the actions of Hamas, saying: “The Mayor has repeatedly conveyed his outrage at attacks by Hamas on Israel and has strongly condemned these acts of terrorism.

“He is deeply saddened by the loss of all lives, and continues to support calls for a permanent ceasefire.”