The Jewish Labour Movement said: “Chris Williamson is a Jew baiter. No more ifs or buts. We expect Chris Williamson to be suspended from the Labour Party today.”
Pro-Jeremy Corbyn Labour MP Chris Williamson has apologised after tweeting in support of a jazz musician accused of anti-Semitism.
Gilad Atzmon – who was born in Israel but no longer identifies as Jewish – was banned from performing at a London venue by Islington council this month after complaints about his history of criticising Holocaust denial legislation and Israeli foreign policy.
However, the Derby North MP, who is a vocal supporter of party leader Jeremy Corbyn, signed a Change.org petition against the ban, tweeting a link with the caption: “Hands Off Gilad Atzmon – Sign the Petition!”.
After a backlash on social media, Williamson then deleted the tweet and apologised, claiming he was unaware of Atzmon’s views.
“Earlier today I tweeted a petition about an Islington Council ban against the Blockheads performing with their chosen line up,” Williamson wrote. “The council has blocked jazz musician Gilad Atzmon from playing with the group.
“Since then I’ve learned that Atzmon, a former Israeli soldier, is not confined to the jazz world. I am told that in various blogs and in speeches he has adopted anti-Semitic language. I wasn’t aware of this until after I tweeted the petition.
“As soon as I was informed, I deleted the tweet. I’ve always condemned all forms of racism, including ant-Semitism, and strongly disassociate myself from Atzmon’s anti-Semitic views. I therefore apologise for tweeting this petition and any distress or offence it may have caused.”
Anti-racist group Hope Not Hate said Williamson tweeting support for Atzmon was “totally unacceptable” and “Labour should suspend Williamson immediately.”
The Jewish Labour Movement also reiterated its previous calls for Williamson to be suspended from the party.
We wrote to @labourwhips in August about Chris Williamson's consistent Jew baiting but we have never received any response. This is completely unacceptable.
Chris Williamson is a Jew baiter and the party needs to decide what they do with people who bait Jews. @JennieGenSec pic.twitter.com/x8jl1HiknK— Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) December 21, 2018
In a statement, the group wrote: “Chris Williamson is a Jew baiter. Supporting Atzmon is baiting Jews. And Chris Williamson has been baiting Jews in the party for too long unchecked. No more ifs or buts.
“We expect Chris Williamson to be suspended from the Labour Party today.”
A Labour party spokesperson said: “Gilad Atzmon is a vile antisemite. Chris Williamson has said he was not aware of Atzmon‘s appalling views and rightly apologised for his tweet.”
