Labour MP Kim Johnson apologises to Commons after calling Israeli government fascist | The Guardian |

Kim Johnson summoned by party's chief whip amid condemnation of comments during PMQs

A Labour MP has apologised to the Commons after provoking anger by calling the Israeli government "fascist" during prime minister's questions.

Kim Johnson, the MP for Liverpool, Riverside, said on Wednesday afternoon she wanted to retract the comments she had made hours earlier, just five days after Holocaust Memorial Day.

Her apology came after she was summoned to see Labour's chief whip to explain the comments, which threatened to mire the party in another row over antisemitism.
Johnson said during prime minister's questions: "Since the election of the fascist Israeli government last December there has been an increase in human rights violations against Palestinians, including children. Can the prime minister tell us how he is challenging what Amnesty and other human rights organisations refer to as an apartheid state?"

In response, Rishi Sunak criticised the tone of her remarks, saying: "It's important in this matter to remain calm and urge all sides to strive for peace."

Labour party officials condemned the comments even more strongly as soon as PMQs was over. A spokesperson for the party leader, Keir Starmer, called them "completely unacceptable" and said the chief whip would ask Johnson to withdraw them.

Don't wait for my apology 🤣 speaking truth to power.

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