Former UK war minister accused of “stoking antisemitism”

The former British Defence Secretary was accused of “stoking antisemitic hate” by The Jewish Chronicle as he criticised the mass killings in Gaza committed by Israel, according to The Guardian.

Ben Wallace, who resigned from his ministerial post on August 31, wrote in British newspaper The Telegraph on December 18 that Israel was going on a “killing rage” in Gaza and that this would run the risk of radicalising Muslims in the UK and worldwide. 

In the opinion piece titled, “Netanyahu’s tactics are weakening Israel” he writes, “I also believe strongly in our obligations under the Geneva Conventions and expect all signatories to uphold them. Going after Hamas is legitimate; obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not. Using proportionate force is legal, but collective punishment and forced movement of civilians is not.”  

The former Defence Secretary also argues that Israel’s killing spree will only fuel the long-lasting conflict between Israel and Palestine for 50 more years. 

Wallace, a former British Army officer, has had numerous ministerial jobs since his election to parliament back in 2005. 

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Following the Conservative MP’s remarks, London-based newspaper The Jewish Chronicle published an opinion piece by Richard Kemp, a pro-Netanyahu commentator and a fellow ex-British Army officer. 

Kemp argues in a column titled, “Ben Wallace’s unjust criticisms have played into the hands of Hamas” that, “Ben Wallace gets much wrong about the Gaza conflict and risks stoking antisemitic hate.” 

“He supports the eradication of Hamas but says Israel is doing it all wrong. He doesn’t explain in any detail how they should do it differently.” 

In recent months particularly, critics of Israel, their policies and those supportive of  the Palestinian cause have resulted in Zionists painting them as supporting Hamas and/or being antisemitic. 

This is despite nearly 20,000 being killed in Gaza alone since October 7 in addition to over 200 being killed in the illegally occupied West Bank this year as well as dozens of Palestinians getting wrongfully arrested by Israeli authorities. 

The Guardian/ The Telegraph/ The Jewish Chronicle