Corbyn praises rapper accused of anti-semitism

JEREMY CORBYN has praised the “energy and good messages” of a rapper whose lyrics and past comments have been described as “anti-semitic”.

The former Labour leader, who sits as an independent MP, tweeted his support for Kareem Dennis, better known as Lowkey, on Sunday night.

Responding to the hip hop artist’s tweet about his four-city concert tour of the Netherlands, Mr Corbyn wrote: “Well done Lowkey, what energy and good messages you carry!”

Songs London-born Lowkey has performed this year include Long Live Palestine, which includes the lyrics “nothing is more anti-semitic than Zionism” and “Israel is a terror state, they’re terrorists that terrorise”.

Other tracks in his setlist include references to the “Zionist lobby”.

The 36-year-old has previously labelled Israel a “racist endeavour”.

Lowkey is a supporter of Mr Corbyn, releasing a Vote Corbyn rap video on the eve of the 2019 general election.

In March, a row broke out after the National Union of Students invited Lowkey to perform at a conference for students from marginalised groups. He pulled out after concerns from Jewish students but the NUS was criticised for advising them to “go into an existing safe space” at the performance.

A spokesman for Campaign Against Anti-semitism (CAA) said Lowkey had “repeatedly associated” with Chris Williamson – who lost the Labour whip for claiming the party was “too apologetic” over anti-semitism – and Prof David Miller, sacked by the University of Bristol after alleged anti-semitic comments.

‘Whether despite or because of this inflammatory record, Lowkey has drawn praise from Jeremy Corbyn’

The CAA spokesman said: “Whether despite or because of this inflammatory record, Lowkey has drawn praise from none other than Jeremy Corbyn for the ‘good messages you carry’.

“Yet still, the Labour Party is happy to have Mr Corbyn as a member.

“Why is the party so stubbornly unable to see what all of the rest of us can?”

Stephen Pollard, the editor-at-large of The Jewish Chronicle, accused Mr Corbyn of retweeting a “notorious antisemite”.

The Labour Party, Lowkey and Mr Corbyn were contacted for comment.