The Black Lives Matter movement in the UK (BLMUK) has come under criticism after it claimed politics is “gagged of the right to critique Zionism”.

BLMUK told its nearly 60,000 followers on Twitter: “As Israel moves forward with the annexation of the West Bank, and mainstream British politics is gagged of the right to critique Zionism, and Israel’s settler colonial pursuits, we loudly and clearly stand beside our Palestinian comrades. FREE PALESTINE.”

Jewish News reports that the Board of Deputies of British Jews president Marie van der Zyl criticised the movement over a tweet on Sunday, saying it was “beyond disappointing” that a “supposedly anti-racist organisation has leaned into the antisemitic trope that British politics is “gagged” in terms of debating Israel, a claim particularly preposterous because Israel is one of the most-discussed foreign policy issues in this country. However, the failings of this particular group will not stop us standing alongside black people in their quest for justice, whether inside or outside our community.”

 

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said BLM “should embrace solidarity from Jews” and “should aspire to be a movement against racism that unifies people and achieves lasting change, not a movement that spreads hatred and achieves lasting division. You cannot fight prejudice with prejudice.”

Related Articles:

Labour’s overreaction to Israel deporting two MPs shows government’s double standard

The Labour government went into meltdown this week after Israel barred two of its Members of Parliament from entering Israel. But Israel, a sovereign democratic nation that is currently...

Trump should trust Israel about the dangers of Erdogan

This week, US President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a variety of topics. The warm friendship the two leaders have was once again on...

God bless Israel this Aliyah Day (Yom HaAliyah)

Happy Aliyah Day! On Monday, 7 April 2025, Jews in Israel and around the world celebrate Yom HaAliyah (Aliyah Day), a national holiday recognising the Jewish people's...

Hamas uses civilians as human shields and when that fails it inflates death figures

A Gazan family was filmed this week injured by an Israeli airstrike. But instead of blaming Israel, they blamed Hamas. Why? Because they knew that if Hamas hadn’t used them as human...

When antisemites say “Zionists” they usually mean….

“Zionists” to Israel’s enemies almost always certainly mean Jews…and it also applies to Christians who believe in the Jewish people’s right to the Land of Israel. Therefore, this...