Labour blames Green “blatant antisemitism” for collapse of power-sharing deal
Labour group accuse Greens of 'blatant antisemitism' over a councillor's social media posts
Sheffield City Council’s Labour group has hit back at the Greens over the collapse of a power-sharing deal, pointing to “blatant antisemitism in their ranks”.
Talks to try to re-establish a joint administration between two of the biggest parties on the council fell apart this week. The council has been under no overall control since 2021.
The split centres around a row that broke out after the Green Party conference last month supported a motion equating Zionism with racism and calling for a single state in Palestine.
Although the parties have been at loggerheads about this, Labour group and council leader Fran Belbin announced at last Wednesday’s (November 4) full council meeting that a way forward had been found.
Details of an agreement were expected to emerge this week but instead the Greens issued a statement overnight, blaming national Labour intervention for a breakdown.
Labour have hit back, saying that The Jewish Chronicle’s coverage of social media statements by Burngreave Green Party councillor, Mustafa Ahmed, precipitated the Labour group’s decision to end any deal.
The Jewish Chronicle reported (November 9) that Coun Ahmed posted on Facebook days after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
He said of Muslims who condemned Hamas: “You alone will bear the shame of supporting the Jews”.
Coun Ahmed responded: “Justice for Palestinians and the safety and dignity of Jewish people are not competing causes. I will always stand for both.”
A Labour group statement today says: “Sheffield Labour are completely aligned with the national Labour Party on this issue, we voted unanimously to end the joint administration with the Green group.
“Sheffield Greens can’t deflect from the blatant antisemitism in their ranks and their failure to take any action against Councillor Ahmed.
“They were given every opportunity to distance themselves from this damaging rhetoric and show Sheffield’s Jewish community, and other minority groups, that they stand against racism in all its forms.
“It is deeply disappointing that they failed to do so and have not even apologised for Coun Ahmed’s posts.
“No-one should have to worship surrounded by security guards. Sheffield Labour will continue working to bring people across our city together to heal the divisions caused by the Green motion.”