Labour MP Kim Johnson sparks outrage by branding Israeli government ‘fascist’

A Labour MP sparked outrage today when she branded the Israeli government ‘fascist’ and referred to the country as ‘an apartheid state’.

Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, is set to be hauled in for a dressing down by Labour’s chief whip after making the comments during Prime Minister’s Questions. 

Her remarks were branded ‘deeply disturbing’ and ‘absolutely disgraceful’ by Tory MPs.

They also questioned whether Labour had moved on from the regular controversies that dogged the party under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, 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.’

After her words prompted disquiet among other MPs in the Commons chamber, Ms Johnson added: ‘Can the Prime Minister tell us how he is challenging what Amnesty and other human rights organisations are referring to as an apartheid state?’

Rishi Sunak, responding to Ms Johnson, called for ‘calm’ as the PM urged ‘all sides to strive for peace’

In response to Ms Johnson, Rishi Sunak replied: ‘She also failed to mention the horrific attacks on civilians inside Israel as well.

‘It is important in this matter to remain calm and urge all sides to strive for peace, and that is very much what I will do as Prime Minister and in the conversations that I have had with the Israeli prime minister.’

Ms Johnson, an ally of Mr Corbyn, was swiftly criticised for her comments by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s office, as well by fellow MPs.

A spokesman for Sir Keir told reporters after PMQs: ‘Kim Johnson’s words were completely unacceptable… as a first step we would want her to withdraw the remarks that she used.’

The spokesman added, if Sir Keir had been answering Ms Johnson’s question as PM, he would have ‘made it clear that he regards that language as unacceptable’.

‘We see the relationship with Israel as an important one for us, bilaterally,’ he continued.

‘We want to have strong relations with the government of Israel. Obviously there are always issues in any bilateral relationships where you have disagreements between countries.

‘But fundamentally the relationship between Britain and Israel is one that we value.’ 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer branded Ms Johnson’s comments as ‘completely unacceptable’ and she is set for a dressing down by the party’s chief whip

Brendan Clarke-Smith, Tory MP for Bassetlaw, condemned Ms Johnson’s remarks as ‘absolutely disgraceful’.

‘For all the PR and promises, it’s clear Labour haven’t changed,’ he added on Twitter.

Scott Benton, Tory MP for Blackpool South, tweeted: ‘Deeply disturbing language. A disgraceful insult to our great ally.’