Sir Sadiq Khan has been labelled a “disgrace” after suggesting protesters who chant “from the river to the sea” were not antisemitic.
The London Mayor appeared to equivocate on pro-Palestine marches as he faced a grilling from Tory Assembly Member Susan Hall at Mayor’s Question Time at City Hall on Thursday.
Controversial Exchange at City Hall
Ms Hall asked: “Do you think to scream ‘From the river to the sea’, which they’re doing during these hate marches, is appropriate? Do you think it is antisemitic?”
Sir Sadiq replied: “I don’t think it is antisemitic and I think it’s all about context.
“Some slogans can be antisemitic, but it’s all about context. And in certain contexts, yes, those slogans are antisemitic. In other contexts, they’re not.”
However, many people interpret the controversial chant to constitute the destruction of Israel, with the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea bordering both sides of the world’s only Jewish state.
Fierce Backlash from Anti-Antisemitism Campaigners
Lord Austin, a former Labour Minister who campaigns against antisemitism, said: “Let’s be clear, this chant calls for the destruction of Israel and the murder of millions of its Jewish citizens.
“These are the same people also call to ‘globalise the Intifada’ which is incitement to kill Jews here in Britain.
“It is deeply disturbing that the mayor is siding with these racists and bigots.
“He should have dealt with these hate marchers two years ago but to defend them now, especially after last week’s murders in the terror attack in Manchester, is a total disgrace.”
Tensions Over Manchester Terror Attack Timing
The heated exchange came as Ms Hall questioned the Mayor about pro-Palestine protests that occurred on the same evening as the terror attack on a Manchester synagogue last week.
When pressed on whether protesters chanting “From the river to the sea” and describing Israel as a “terror state” was antisemitic behaviour, particularly on the day of the Manchester terror attack, Khan described the behaviour as “insensitive” but maintained it was not antisemitic.
“No, I don’t think marching is antisemitic,” the Mayor stated when pushed further.
Accusations of Double Standards
Ms Hall accused Sir Sadiq of failing to criticise the protests, contrasting this with what she called the “duplicity of his remarks” on the Unite the Kingdom march last month led by Tommy Robinson.
During the exchange, Ms Hall waved a small Union Flag, stating it did not make her Far Right but “very patriotic”. Sir Sadiq responded that he would “fight to the death for the right to protest” – even if this benefited people such as Tommy Robinson.
Call to Protect Jewish Community
Ms Hall challenged the Mayor directly, saying: “Do you not see that in London, to have one community that is so badly disadvantaged by what is going on, with these antisemitic chants, that you as mayor should do something about that? Shame on you, because our Jewish community need looking after.”
The Mayor responded: “I have gone out of my way since [the Hamas attacks on Israel on] September 7, 2023, to reassure Jewish Londoners.”
Context of Ongoing Tensions
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestine protests in the capital. Earlier this month, Khan stopped short of demanding organisers call off protests following the Manchester synagogue terror attack, instead defending the right to “peaceful” and “lawful” protest whilst urging those attending to be “mindful of the appalling terror attack”.
The phrase “from the river to the sea” refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing Israel and the Palestinian territories. Critics argue it calls for Israel’s elimination, while supporters claim it represents Palestinian freedom and peace.
The Mayor’s comments have reignited debates about the balance between freedom of expression and protecting communities from what many perceive as hate speech, particularly as Jewish communities report increased anxiety over regular pro-Palestine demonstrations in the capital.
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Image Credit:
Sadiq Khan — photo by Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn (own work), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
