Shabana Mahmood was involved in protest at
Sainsbury's in Birmingham
Store closed for several hours as campaigners
lay down outside the shop
MP bragged about actions on YouTube, calling
for a boycott of Israeli goods
Birmingham Ladywood MP accused of 'promoting
public disorder'
Labour says she told Ed Miliband she 'does
not support a boycott of Israel'
But
critics have demanded that she apologise for her comments
A Labour frontbencher was accused of encouraging mob rule last night after she boasted of taking part in an anti-Israel protest that forced a supermarket to close.
Shabana Mahmood lay in the street
outside a Sainsbury’s store in Birmingham alongside dozens of pro-Palestine
campaigners, protesting against the fact that it was ‘stocking goods from
illegal settlements’.
Her ‘direct action’ forced the
supermarket to close for several hours on a busy Saturday. She then used
YouTube to brag about her actions, calling for a boycott of Israeli goods – in
direct contravention of Labour policy.
Last night the Muslim MP, who speaks
for the party on tax and growth policy, was
accused of ‘stirring up tensions’ by Jewish leaders. They said the
Birmingham Ladywood MP was promoting
public disorder, and branded her behaviour ‘completely inappropriate’.
Labour said Ed Miliband had spoken to
Miss Mahmood, who told him she does not support a boycott of Israel. But
critics said this did not go far enough and called on her to apologise.
Simon Johnson, chief executive of the
Jewish Leadership Council, said: ‘It is completely inappropriate for a Member
of Parliament to promote public disorder that forced a supermarket to close. We
believe that she has been made aware of her party’s opposition to boycotts and
has back-pedalled, but an apology is yet to be heard.’
Vivian Wineman, president of the Board
of Deputies of British Jews, said: ‘Such rabble rousing is extremely
irresponsible.’
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