Sadiq Khan has been forced to apologise to the Chief Rabbi after implying that his criticism of the Mayor’s call for a Gaza ceasefire was influenced by Islamophobia.
In an interview yesterday, the London Mayor said he had been “disappointed” when Jewish leaders condemned his decision to speak about Gaza.
He complained that his interventions on the Middle Eastern conflict had been subjected to greater criticism than similar calls by Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
He told interviewer Mehdi Hasan: “What motivated them to come out in the way they did against the Mayor of London, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester – I’ll give you a clue, he’s not called Ahmed Bourani, he’s called Andy Burnham, whereas I’m called Sadiq Khan”.
He added: “I’ve not seen the Chief Rabbi, the Jewish Chronicle, say comments against me in relation to my calls for a ceasefire”.
“And I’d ask those Jewish people just to pause and reflect on their response to me calling for a ceasefire.”
The comments sparked fury in the Jewish community, with one source close to leading community figures telling the Jewish Chronicle: “Sadiq is very strongly implying that the Chief Rabbi’s criticism of him was motivated by Islamophobia”.
Jewish News now reports that Sadiq Khan has now apologised for his remarks about Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis.
In a statement released today, the Mayor said: “I have been in contact with the Chief Rabbi to apologise for my comments, which I deeply regret.”
“He has, along with other Jewish leaders, been a friend to me, and we have worked hard together to unite our city and celebrate our diversity.
“At times it is clear to me, and others, that as a mayor of London of Islamic faith, I am held to a different standard and that can be frustrating.
“But it wasn’t fair of me to have levelled that frustration at the Chief Rabbi.
“I am sorry for any hurt this has caused and will continue working with Jewish leaders to build a safer London for everyone.”
Despite the apology from the Mayor, this lunchtime the Conservative Party’s chairman compared Mr Khan’s “dogwhistle” comments to the British National Party.
Richard Holden tweeted: “[It’s] clear Sadiq Khan knows exactly what he’s doing with his dirty dog whistle politics against the Chief Rabbi”.
“It’s disgusting.
“Reminds me of what it was like campaigning against the BNP in East Lancashire in the early 2000s
“Sir Keir Starmer knows too and won’t do anything because just like under Corbyn, he’ll keep his head down as he will do anything to try and win.”
Labour has been contacted for comment.
