THE Conservatives have been urged to suspend an MP who described pro-Palestine demonstrators as "primitives".
Anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate called for the Tories to take actions against Michael Fabricant, accusing him of "hateful racism that stirs up division".
Largely peaceful demonstrations took place across the UK over the weekend in solidarity with the people of Palestine, as Israel and Hamas exchange rocket fire in a deadly conflict.
The MP for Lichfield shared a video of clashes with police outside the Israeli Embassy in London on Saturday.
He tweeted: "These primitives are trying to bring to London what they do in the Middle East."
The backbencher deleted the message after it drew criticism on social media.
Hope Not Hate said: "The tense situation requires steady leadership from people who want to bring communities together, not hateful racism that stirs up division. The Conservatives must suspend Michael Fabricant for this disgraceful comment."
Director of the British Future think-tank Sunder Katwala tweeted: "Anybody who realises that it is racist to hold British Jews responsible for Israeli policy should also be able recognise the racism here in Michael Fabricant's tweet."
Fabricant sought to justify the comments, saying that "attacks on the British police as shown in the video are disgraceful".
He told the PA news agency: "It is primitive behaviour by people who preach antisemitism or racism of any kind, whether they be Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
"And the sort of antisemitism displayed by Hamas in the Middle East must not be repeated here in the UK."
Fabricant's remarks came as video from a separate demonstration in the capital appeared to show antisemitic abuse being shouted from a car in footage that drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including from Boris Johnson.
"There is no place for antisemitism in our society," the Prime Minister tweeted.
The Metropolitan Police said nine officers were injured as they attempted to disperse crowds outside the embassy on Saturday and 13 arrests were made.
The Conservative Party declined to comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel