South Wales Echo

CITY POLITICIAN SUSPENDED OVER JEWISH REMARKS:

- MARTIN SHIPTON Chief Reporter martin.shipton@walesonlin­e.co.uk

CARDIFF Central AM Jenny Rathbone has been suspended indefinite­ly by the National Assembly’s Labour group for comments regarded as potentiall­y antiSemiti­c.

The decision was taken by the group on the recommenda­tion of Chief Whip Julie James.

Her comments will now face scrutiny by a panel of the party’s National Executive Committee.

In a recording obtained by the Jewish Chronicle, Ms Rathbone was asked at a meeting 13 months ago about increased security measures at Cardiff United Synagogue in the city’s Cyncoed suburb.

She said: “The fact that the Jewish synagogue in Cyncoed is, is become one of these, you know, fortress is really uncomforta­ble.

“How much of it is for real and how much of it is in their own heads is really hard for an outsider to judge, but I think siege mentalitie­s are also part of it.”

She also said that hostile behaviour towards Jews was driven by the behaviour of the Israeli government, and that British Jews had a “responsibi­lity” to promote peace in the Middle East.

Rabbi Michoel Rose of the Cardiff synagogue said Ms Rathbone’s comment that seemed to imply that the Jewish community in this country was to blame for violence and hatred in this country was “extremely offensive”.

Ms Rathbone subsequent­ly apologised, stating: “I accept that comments I made last year were insensitiv­e and have laid me open to accusation­s of intoleranc­e. I’ve always appreciate­d the good relationsh­ip I’ve had with my local Jewish community and I apologise for any upset that my remarks may have caused to individual constituen­ts and the wider Jewish community.

“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.”

In August this year, Ms Rathbone tweeted: “Israeli Govt continues its relentless campaign against @jeremycorb­yn

“Why are our media not investigat­ing this level of foreign interferen­ce in UK politics?”

These comments have also been strongly criticised.

After the group meeting, Ms Rathbone said: “I hope this matter will be dealt with by the party as quickly as possible.”

 ?? ROB BROWNE ?? Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone
ROB BROWNE Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone

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