Labour MP calls Israel ‘apartheid state’ governed by ‘fascists’

A LABOUR MP has been forced to apologise after calling the Israeli government “fascist” and referring to the country as an “apartheid state”.

Kim Johnson was criticised by a spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer, the party leader, for her comments during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.

It is understood the Liverpool Riverside MP was summoned by Labour’s chief whip before apologising for the remarks, which follow a recent surge in violence in Israel and Palestine.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Johnson said: “Since the election of the fascist Israeli government in December last year, there has been an increase in human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including children.

“Can the Prime Minister tell us how he is challenging what Amnesty and other human rights organisations are referring to as an apartheid state?”

The Israeli coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu – which took power in December – is regarded as the most hardline in the country’s history.

In his reply, Rishi Sunak noted that Ms Johnson had “failed to mention the horrific attacks on civilians inside Israel as well” after a gunman killed seven Israelis outside a synagogue last week.

Ms Johnson returned to the Commons just over an hour later to “apologise unreservedly” for her remarks.

“While there are far-right elements in the government, I recognise the use of the term [fascist] in this context was wrong… I would also like to apologise for the use of the term ‘apartheid state’.”