Israeli sentiment on the war in Gaza is shifting
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Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Telegraph
Lisa Nandy accused of prioritising Islam over other religions
The Culture Secretary is facing criticism after she appointed the boss of a Muslim charity as an adviser to a new civil society project but no one from Christian, Jewish or other specific faiths. Lisa Nandy has made Fadi Itani, chief executive of the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF), a member of the steering committee of her Civil Society Covenant. The 15-strong Civil Society Covenant aims to boost social cohesion with the help of 'volunteers, charities, faith organisations' and others. Ms Nandy has described the committee as 'a new chapter in the relationship between this Government and the remarkable civil society organisations that form the backbone of our communities'. She describes such organisations as 'the eyes, ears and voice of the people'. Yet the Muslim Charities Forum is the only faith-specific group to be represented on its advisory group. The only other religious organisation is Faith Action, which represents all faiths. In 2015 the MCF was stripped of £138,000 of government funding after a Telegraph investigation reported alleged links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. The MCF denies ever having supported any charities or groups that have links to terrorist or proscribed organisations. The group was founded in 2008 by Dr Hany El-Banna, who was awarded an OBE in 2004 and remains a trustee of MCF. In 2020 he posted a video on X of a lecture he gave in which he described the Yazidi people – thousands of whom were massacred by Islamic State terrorists – as 'devil worshippers'. He has since apologised, saying he had been using a colloquial Arabic term but that it was 'clearly inappropriate'. He has met representatives of the UK Yazidi community to apologise directly. A spokesman for Insight UK, the Hindu and Indian advocacy group, said: 'The Government's decision to invite only a Muslim charity to participate in its civic society covenant while excluding other faith groups is discriminatory and shows preferential treatment for one faith group. 'While the inclusion of Muslim voices in civic dialogue is valuable, the exclusion of other faith groups such as Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and other faith-based organisations suggests an inconsistent approach to interfaith representation. 'To ensure legitimacy and effectiveness, the Government should clarify its selection criteria and broaden participation to include all major faith communities in this civic initiative.' A legal representative for the Muslim Charities Forum said: 'Our clients have no reason to believe or suspect that any of their member charities support (whether financially or by any other means) any terrorist or other proscribed organisations. 'For the sake of completeness, nor do our clients have any reason to believe that any of those charities support or have links to the Muslim Brotherhood (which is not proscribed in the United Kingdom).' On the issue of Dr Banna's video, the MCF's legal representative said: 'Dr El-Banna has long since issued an apology for using a colloquial Arabic term which, although commonly used in the region, was clearly inappropriate. 'He has met with representatives of the UK Yazidi community to apologise directly and clarify any misunderstandings.' Society's 'full diversity' Mr Itani was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to charity and interfaith relations. The Civil Society Covenant also includes the head of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the head of the Co-op and the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress. A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: 'Faith groups are explicitly recognised and valued partners under our Civil Society Covenant and on the Advisory Council – acknowledging faith organisations as essential to delivering our Plan for Change missions and tackling Britain's biggest challenges. 'The Covenant was developed through extensive engagement with over 1,200 organisations across civil society's full diversity, including multiple faith and interfaith groups whose contributions helped shape the final document. 'We look forward to strengthening our partnership with faith organisations as we implement the Covenant's commitments together.'
The National
21 hours ago
- The National
Anas Sarwar blasted after calling Benjamin Netanyahu 'war criminal'
The Scottish Greens said the Scottish Labour leader failed to "understand the devastating scale of death and destruction happening in Palestine", pointing towards Labour's "complicity" in the genocide. It comes after Sarwar said there is a "plausible case for genocide" committed by Israel, as he conceded that "there's still more" for the Labour Government to look at. READ MORE: Former Knesset speaker urges '1 million Jews' to file Israel war crimes complaint In an interview with the PA news agency, Sarwar said: 'The problem here is Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israel government, his illegal occupation, his lack of interest in peace and the fact that he clearly has no respect for international law, and gives no value to the sanctity of human life. 'He is a danger to his own population in Israel, but he's also a danger to the Palestinian population and a danger to the wider region in the Middle East.' He added: 'We all have to be resolute in saying that Netanyahu is a war criminal, he's not acting in the interests of peace. 'He's not a partner for peace, Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed horrific acts on October 7 2023 – they aren't partners for peace.' Sarwar said that "there is a plausible case for genocide that the Israeli government has to answer and one day I believe will have to answer to the ICC and the ICJ". He added: 'But we have to urgently end the war – if we think just stopping talking to the Israeli government means that we end the war, I think that's a pretty naïve view of the situation right now." And when asked if he felt the UK Labour Government had done enough to end the genocide, Sarwar said it had done "a lot" but added: "I think there's still more we have to look at." Speaking to The National, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said Labour have spent the last year "actively collaborating in this devastating genocide" and have done "nothing" to end their complicity. Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater (Image: unknown) The Scottish Greens previously urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expel Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely from the UK, after the Israeli security cabinet approved plans to escalate the genocide in Gaza. Slater told The National: 'If Anas Sarwar seriously thinks Labour is doing enough to end the genocide in Gaza then he clearly doesn't understand the devastating scale of death and destruction happening in Palestine. 'Weapons made in the UK are being used to destroy communities and end lives. What have Labour actually done to end their complicity? Nothing." READ MORE: Police Scotland 'on notice' for visit by JD Vance during UK holiday Slater said that instead of "taking action to end the genocide" in Gaza, Labour have 'hyped Israel's war criminal government on the international stage, sold arms to the IDF, and dangled the future of Palestine as a bargaining chip". "This isn't bold action to end the war, Labour and Starmer have spent the past year actively collaborating in this devastating genocide," she told The National. Slater added: 'Urging restraint is not enough, Labour's hypocrisy must end now! It's time to end arms sales, back international sanctions and boycott war criminals.' Meanwhile, the SNP said the Scottish Labour leader's words "mean nothing" unless Labour recognise Palestine and stop arms exports to Israel. SNP MSP Kevin Stewart – who previously lodged a motion calling on the UK Government to recognise Palestine – told The National: 'Anas Sarwar's words are all fine and well but mean nothing unless the UK Labour Government takes immediate action by recognising Palestine as a state and stopping all UK arms sales to Israel.' Last month, Sarwar said he backed the "immediate recognition" of the state of Palestine, ahead of the UK Government saying just days later that it planned to do so in September. Scottish Labour declined to comment further.
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Controversial band Bob Vylan set to take stage at Boardmasters Festival in Newquay
Controversial punk rap duo Bob Vylan are due to appear at the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay on Sunday 10th August, despite a campaign to have them banned. The band hit headlines when they led chants of 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' during a televised appearance at Glastonbury Festival in June this year. The Prime Minister condemned the comments, Glastonbury organisers said they were appalled, and after complaints from the public to the BBC, it apologised and said the footage should not have been broadcast. The band also had tour dates cancelled and their US visas were revoked. Hundreds of people also wrote to Cornwall Council, the licensing authority for the Boardmasters Festival, asking them to stop the band from taking to the stage. One councillor, Dulcie Tudor, said it was the most concerted campaign she'd seen since being on the council. The band later said on social media: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine." Organisers of Boardmasters insisted Bob Vylan would remain part of their line up and released a statement to ITV News West Country saying: 'Following productive meetings with Devon and Cornwall Police and relevant partners from our Safety Advisory Group, we now have an agreed plan in place that ensures the event continues to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community accountability. 'Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe. We do not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence, or behaviour that puts anyone at risk, and we will continue to uphold these principles throughout the event and beyond. 'Our decision to proceed with the performance reflects a balance of factors, including the festival's careful consideration of recent concerns, our ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, and the band's agreement to the terms of their participation. 'We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations, particularly the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone attending, working at, or involved in the festival. 'Boardmasters remains focused on delivering a safe, respectful, and well-managed event.' Bob Vylan also posted on X on Thursday that they will be headlining another event with a link to Burn It Down Festival in Torquay later this month.
