Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Muslim Labour MP quits as aide to John McDonnell after sharing Facebook post suggesting Israel should be moved to the US with the message: 'Problem solved'

  • Naz Shah today apologised for 'offence caused' by her Facebook post  
  • The Bradford West MP shared the claim and added supportive comments
  • The post was made in 2014 before Ms Shah became an MP in the Commons
  • Labour has been rocked by a series of anti-Semitism rows in recent weeks
  • Jeremy Corbyn repeatedly urged to speak out clearly against abuse 
Labour MP Naz Shah today apologised and quit as an aide to John McDonnell over the row 
Labour MP Naz Shah today apologised and quit as an aide to John McDonnell over the row 
Labour MP today has resigned as an aide to John McDonnell after sharing a graphic on social media that appeared to say Israel should be 'relocated' to America.

Bradford West MP Naz Shah shared an image that showed an outline of Israel superimposed on to a map of the USA.

The headline on the image said: 'Solution for Israel-Palestine Conflict - Relocate Israel into United States.'

Ms Shah then wrote with the post: 'problem solved.'

The Muslim MP today apologised for 'offence caused' before quitting as the shadow chancellor's PPS. 

The resignation will reignite a bitter row within Labour about whether Jeremy Corbyn has done enough to combat anti-Semitism among some new members who have joined the party under his leadership.

Tory MPs today led calls for Ms Shah to be suspended from the Labour Party over the incident.
The Facebook post, shared by Ms Shah in 2014 before she became an MP, suggested the US has 'plenty of land' to accommodate Israel as a 51st state, allowing Palestinians to 'get their life and their land back'.

It added that Israeli people would be welcome and safe in the US while the 'transportation cost' would be less than three years' worth of Washington's support for Israeli defence spending.

Ms Shah added a note suggesting the plan might 'save them some pocket money'.

After the posting was highlighted by the Guido Fawkes website, Ms Shah released a statement in which she said: 'This post from two years ago was made before I was an MP, does not reflect my views and I apologise for any offence it has caused.'


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