Political

Welsh Labour Assembly Member Jenny Rathbone suspended after comments about Jewish people

The BBC reports:

A Labour AM criticised for making “extremely offensive” remarks about Jewish people has been suspended from her party in the assembly.

In a recording that emerged last week Jenny Rathbone suggested Jewish people’s security fears could be “in their own heads”.

Ms Rathbone, who is suspended pending a Labour probe, has apologised…

Cardiff Rabbi Michoel Rose said last week that the comments “seemed to imply that the Jewish community in this country was to blame for violence and hatred in this country was extremely offensive”.

One thing that can at least be said about Jenny Rathbone’s behaviour is that she has admitted her comments were wrong in the way many in similar situations alas try to dodge:

With levels of anti-Semitism on the rise in many western countries, and following the devastating attack on Pittsburgh synagogue, no one can or should downplay the fears and concerns that many Jewish people are experiencing.

I had no intention of doing so and I am deeply sorry that I did.

It is also not acceptable to suggest that the Jewish community are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.

 

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