An independent MP elected on a pro-Gaza platform appeared to equate Israeli hostages seized by Hamas on October 7 with Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons – some of whom are convicted terrorists.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer opened Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday by saying: “The whole house will also welcome the release of Emily Damari and other hostages from Gaza. We must now see the ceasefire deal implemented in full, the release of the remaining hostages and a surge in aid into Gaza for citizens”.
But, towards the end of the session, Iqbal Mohamed, MP for Dewsbury and Batley, responded: “May I associate myself with remarks from the Prime Minister regarding the ceasefire and the release of hostages, and let’s all pray for (sic) the remaining hostages on both sides are released as soon as possible”.
The remarks prompted disquiet from other MPs in the House of Commons chamber.
Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons are due to be released as part of the fragile, multi-phased deal between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 94 Israelis taken into Gaza by the terror group on October 7.
Among those scheduled for release are Mahmud Abu Warda, who is serving 48 life sentences for planning and executing multiple terror attacks, including the 1996 murder of 45 Israelis in two bus bombings in Jerusalem.
Likewise, Wissam Abbasi, Mohammad Odeh, and Wael Qassim of the so-called Silwan Squadron, jailed in 2002 in connection to a string of bombings that killed over 30 Israelis in crowded civilian areas of Jerusalem during the Second Intifada, are also due to be let out.
Mohamed went on to question Starmer about Israeli military operations in the West Bank.
“The IDF launched a large scale offensive operation in the city of Jenin with numerous drone strikes on the infrastructure and the military raid by IDF troops and special forces in the occupied West Bank.”
He continued: “at least nine people have been killed by Israeli forces and 40 people injured, including several healthcare workers. What steps is the government taking to urgently protect Palestinians, including healthcare workers, and to prevent atrocities in the West Bank?”
Starmer responded by saying that the government were “deeply concerned about it, and we’re doing everything we can to alleviate the situation”, but did not immediately rebut Mohamed’s drawing of an equivalence between Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Asked after PMQs if the Prime Minister shared Mohamed’s assessment, a Downing Street spokesperson replied: “No, absolutely not.”
“You’ve heard the Prime Minister speak at length about horrendous ordeal of the hostages and families and obviously the welcome news and the pictures of seeing Emily Damari”, the British citizen recently released from Hamas captivity as part of the agreement reached between Israel and the terrorist organisation.
“More broadly the government is focused on delivering on a permanent peaceful solution that delivers on a permanent ceasefire”, the spokesperson added.
Yesterday, Starmer thanked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the work done by the Israeli government for their work to secure Damari and other hostages.
Iqbal Mohamed hit the headlines in December last year when he spoke against proposed legislation to ban first-cousin marriage in the UK.
The MP for Dewsbury and Batley was one of four new MPs – along with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – elected to Parliament on explicitly pro-Gaza platforms. Since then, they have formed a parliamentary grouping called the “Independent Alliance”.
Shortly after the general election, the JC revealed that Mohamed had told a rally to boycott “Zionist” sweets and to “go home and find every brand and every product that has been supporting Israel and Zionism from the beginning