• Labor MP Kim Johnson apologizes for calling Israel’s new coalition government “fascist”.
• A little over an hour later, she apologized after being told to do so by party leaders.
• Given Israel’s history, the MP agreed that using the term “fascist” was “especially offensive.”

Kim Johnson, a Labor MP, has issued an apology for calling Israel’s freshly formed coalition government “fascist.”

While questioning Rishi Sunak at PMQs on “human rights breaches” against Palestinians, the Liverpool Riverside MP made the remark.

A little over an hour later, she apologized after being told to do so by party leaders.

Given Israel’s history, the MP agreed that using the term “fascist” was “especially offensive.”

“While there are far-right elements in the government, I recognize that the use of the term in this context was wrong,” she added.

The Media has been told she was told to apologies by party whips for remarks described as “unacceptable” by Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman.

Following elections in November, Israel’s new government was created, and top ministers from the ultranationalist far right are included.

Both domestically and internationally, there are worries that it may exacerbate the conflict with the Palestinians, harm the judiciary, and curtail the rights of minorities.

Following the formation of a coalition between his Likud party and ultranationalist and ultraorthodox Jewish allies, Benjamin Netanyahu was re-elected as prime minister and has pledged to work for peace and uphold civil rights.

Ms. Johnson also apologized for saying that right group Amnesty International had described Israel as an “apartheid state”.

“Whilst I was quoting accurately Amnesty’s description, I recognize this is insensitive and I’d like to withdraw it,” she added.

In his initial response to Ms. Johnson’s question, Mr. Sunak did not directly criticize her use of the word “fascist,” but said she had “failed to mention the horrific attack on civilians inside Israel as well”.

“It’s important in this matter to remain calm and urge all sides strive for peace, and that’s very much what I will do as prime minister,” he added.

Fellow Labor MP Dame Margaret Hodge criticized Ms. Johnson’s remarks, calling them “unacceptable and dangerous”.

Dame Louise Ellman, who served as Ms Johnson’s predecessor as the MP for Liverpool Riverside and temporarily left Labour over the party’s handling of antisemitism claims under Jeremy Corbyn, was “insulted” by the remarks, she continued.

Momentum, a left-leaning pressure organization that backs Corbyn, criticized Sir Keir’s spokesman for his decision to condemn Ms. Johnson’s comments.

The group said that the Labor leader had engaged in a “outrageous abuse of authority” in a tweet.

It accused Sir Keir of wanting to “silence wholly legitimate criticism of the Israeli government”.

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