Yet another Labour Councillor Suspended for Antisemitism in Coventry

The party is still struggling to shift its antisemitic image. Coventry's Labour politicians aren't helping.

Oct 9, 2022

Back in August, Counter Cut reported that Labour MP Zarah Sultana’s close ally Cllr Christine Thomas had used the antisemitic slur ‘Jewess’ to describe a fellow labour member. She was later suspended and is currently serving as an independent councillor until the investigation is complete. (Read more here)

Coventry’s Labour group has now doubled the number of its councillors on suspension for antisemitism with Tariq Khan now suspended for sending antisemitic pictures deemed ‘horrendous’ by Council leader George Duggins.

Tariq Khan is the councillor for Foleshill in Coventry and has been serving since 2010. He also serves on the Historic Coventry Trust.

Cllr Tariq Khan - Credit: Coventry City Council

Tariq Khan claims he has no memory of sending the offensive images which either means he is incredibly forgetful, or he is so blasé about sending antisemitic pictures, he can’t remember when he does it.

This comes after the Equalities and Human Rights report and the Forde report finding systemic antisemitism and racism within the Labour party. (Read more on the Forde report here)

The Labour MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana has gotten into hot water previously for making defamatory statements regarding Israel which many say peddles and emboldens left wing antisemitism. She has previously said that she would celebrate the death of former Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu.

This raises questions around the culture in the Coventry Labour Party. If this is what is happening in public, what is the culture behind the scenes being enabled by politicians such as Tariq Khan, Christine Thomas, and Zarah Sultana?

Last year antisemitic hate crimes rose, demonstrating that the country is still not a safe place for Jewish people. With the second biggest political party in the UK still home to antisemitic politicians and beliefs it is a worrying time for many in the Jewish community.

Written by Jack Dixon, Political Editor