The Labour Party is facing criticism for its decision to suspend Faiza Shaheen, a candidate of Pakistani-Muslim heritage, for liking a tweet that included a video by American Jewish comedian Jon Stewart criticizing Israel's apologists. The suspension has sparked accusations of Islamophobia and bias within the party. In a related move, Labour has selected Luke Akehurst, a senior figure on the Labour Right and director of 'We Believe in Israel', as its candidate for North Durham. Akehurst's selection has been controversial due to his strong pro-Israel stance and his role in the Labour NEC, with some party members accusing him of blocking other candidates like Diane Abbott. The selection was made following Kevan Jones' late decision to stand down, leaving local members with no say due to time restrictions. Polls suggest Akehurst will win the seat by a 34% margin. The decision has led to a broader debate about the party's internal politics and its stance on Israel and Palestine.
Luke Akehurst, the staunch Zionist and director of "We Believe in Israel," has been selected as Labour's parliamentary candidate for North Durham. Meanwhile, Labour appears to be targeting anti-genocide MPs and candidates like Dianne Abbott, Apsana Begum and Faiza Shaheen. https://t.co/Qj2Dqgb9cT
Labour parachutes professional Israel lobbyist into Parliament Israeli spy Shia Masot referred to Luke Akehurst as "one of the best on the inside" Same day as suspending democratic local candidate Faiza Shaheen for liking video critical of Israel by Jewish comedian Jon Stewart
Labour's @faizashaheen who is of Pakistani-Muslim heritage to take on Ian Duncan-Smith in his Chingford constituency. But she has used her platform to βinflame community tensionsβ over Gaza. She believes Labour is "Islamophobic" & accused Israel of genocide. She's now barred.β¦ https://t.co/1tKkNGVTd3
BREAKING| Former Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen has been suspended from the Labour Party for liking a video by American Jewish comedian, Jon Stewart, which criticizes Israel's apologists. British media described the video as "downplaying antisemitism accusations." https://t.co/MjRvZ5DLjV
Labour suspends Faiza Shaheen for 'liking' something that suggest there is an Israel lobby then selects a Labour MP candidate whose is an Israel lobbyist.
**BREAKING** Keir Starmer gives Israeli plant Luke Akehurst a safe seat in North Durham. Israeli spy Shai Masot named Akehurst as Israel's main man inside the Labour Party. #LukeAkehurst #EllaRose #RuthSmeeth #AssafKaplan https://t.co/GEtbX6sdG9
π¨Starmer is parachuting Luke Akehurst into a safe seat. The Director of We Believe in Israel has repeatedly denied and excused Israel's atrocities, defends Iraq War and boasts about trying to deselect Diane Abbott. We deserve better. Join the alternative https://t.co/d9ZhNFzqdo https://t.co/x4xu0EVV3z
Weβre so pleased that our incredible co - director @lukeakehurst has been selected as Labourβs candidate for North Durham! ππΉ https://t.co/gaWStPa72l
So labour are placing the self-proclaimed 'zionist shitlord' Luke Akehurst in the very safe seat of North Durham I suppose Labour has to reward it's genocide lover, party ruining jackals somehow Another Israeli asset cog installed in the machine https://t.co/9ELYoO79RS
Faiza Shaheen is being barred from standing because she liked a tweet criticising Israel, while Luke Akehurst, who is a literal Israel lobbyist, has been selected β a party in complete service to Tel Aviv. https://t.co/rfijdMmPer
The Labour candidate for North Durham will be Luke Akehurst. Jesus fucking wept.
Luke Akehurst chief protagonist of the @labtowin right-wing faction on Labour's NEC and paid lobbyist for Israel @WeBelieveIsrael literally parachuting himself into safe seats whilst simultaneously blocking Diane Abbott is absolutely sickening. https://t.co/9HzHgwtVnE
π¨ BREAKING: Labour NEC member Luke Akehurst has been selected for the Labour seat of North Durham. Akehurst, a senior figure on the Labour Right, is a vocal supporter of Israel and works for "We Believe In Israel". Polls suggest he'll win the seat by a 34% margin. https://t.co/HNWq7KBKFL
Labour NEC member Luke Akehurst selected to be the partyβs North Durham candidate. Vacancy caused by Kevan Jonesβ late decision to stand down. Means local members had no say in selection because of time restrictions.
Congratulations to @lukeakehurst, Labour's candidate for North Durham! https://t.co/E6NGK873dh
Labour are poised to purge Faiza Shaheen because she liked this tweet. It's a tweet describing a @jonstewart segment about how Israel's apologists behave when you speak out about atrocities committed by Israel. This is a deranged excuse for a pretext. https://t.co/i345KO4sCB
Labour are threatening to purge yet another women of colour. Faiza Shaheen is one of the best candidates the party has. The 'charges' against her include liking tweets rightly accusing Israel of genocide and challenging institutional Islamophobia. https://t.co/SK7l1bxB4r