To think that Labour’s/Andy Burnham’s tariffs on Jewish Settlers and their statement on Palestine is a well timed publicity stunt to divert attention from their complete lack of inaction regarding illegal migrants arriving by boat.

[bluespotsandztarz]

I don’t meant to be cynical but I think Labour have done this to carry favour with those who want to ditch Labour for the Green Party. We all know Labour isn’t run by its leader, instead by their back benchers!

What the Settlers are doing on the West Bank is horrific, however Labour were not being so vocal a few weeks ago when the rest of the world was. It feels a ‘well-timed’ publicity stunt to take away attention from their complete inaction about the amount of illegal immigrants arriving in this country. I was appalled by the protests over the weekend. And as a woman with a daughter, these thugs do not protest in my name. However, the government MUST address the fact that we have thousands of undocumented male immigrants coming into the UK free to go wherever they want. Andy Burnham is happy to house them in their thousands wherever he sees fit and I have not heard him OR his government talk about women’s safety once. Burnham can make as many cosy ‘I’m just a man who goes to Greggs and likes a pint.’ Videos as he wants but until he acknowledges how undocumented men pose a great risk to women’s safety, I won’t be supporting him or his party.

Please do not come up with facts and stats about white British males, I am acutely aware of the violence they also inflict against women and equally appalled by the Government’s inaction over this. But I find it horrific that if you have no documents and the government have no idea who you are you’re free to roam. This should not be allowed.

I feel so ignored as a woman in the UK our safety and wellbeing is way down the governments’ long list of priorities. I’m sick of the back benchers and those swaying to the far left or far right being given so much air time, whilst those of us in the middle are ignored day in and day out I voted for Labour in the last election but never again!

You mean from before Brexit? When we had solid agreements in place with our European partners about illegal immigration? The numbers are coming down; they would come down further if so many people weren’t still wedded to the bonkers ideology behind Brexit and we rejoined.

Ok I don’t get this stance, already the judgement and dismissal.

Such a shame so many Israeli critics don't understand those same emotive and complex issues.

Eta: repetition

There should be outraged against all the countries who are involved in brutal acts, including Gaza.
Not enough people are outraged by the atrocities committed in parts of Africa.
The difference I suppose is that the European countries aren’t directly participating in the conflicts in Nigeria, the Congo, but I agree a lot more needs to be said and done about the extreme violence.
I am surprised that so many are against the sanctions against Israel that are trying to bring peace in the long run.

1. goverments are able to take action on more than one issue at a time

2. small boat arrivals are down on previous years.

The latest Home Office figures, published on 27 August and covering the year to June 2026 show that:

• There was a 22% reduction in people detected arriving to the UK via illegal entry routes compared to the year to June 2025.
• A 23% reduction in people arriving by small boat compared to the year to June 2025.
• Asylum applications were also down by 21% compared to the previous year.
• there was an 8% increase in returns of illegals migrants compared to the preceding year.

What level of progress on this issue will you accept as meaning that the government can think about other issues too?

OP you say you care passionately about women's rights, and I believe you, but why doesn't that extend to women in Gaza and the West Bank? Israeli soldiers are using rape and sexual assault to force women out of the West Bank: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/21/israeli-soldiers-using-sexual-assault-to-force-palestinians-out-of-west-bank-report-says

Imposing sanctions on Israel doesn't prevent the UK government from tackling the challenges of illegal immigration, and women and children who are being raped, attacked and forced from their homes now. They need whatever help we can give them.

Why is it on him to do that?

I’m not sure how constructive this point is. Of course, there are going to be some critics of Israel who haven’t thought deeply about the complex and emotive issues at hand. On any issue, there are going to be people who come to knee jerk opinions without fully understanding the issues.

But there also a great many critics of the Israeli government - especially within the Jewish community - who have undergone alot of deep, painful consideration, to arrive at the conclusion that sanctions against the illegal settlements are now morally imperative to salvage any possibility of a two state solution.

It is also important to be clear that being critical of this Israeli government and of the illegal settlements is absolutely not the same as being “an Israel critic”.

I'm very pleased about the sanctions and it's a shame Starmer didn't have the balls to do it.

As we are generalising, there are many Jews who don't have to air that view. I think they're quite busy making sure they and their families are kept safe.

This is such an unnecessarily aggressive and divisive way to discuss a hugely emotive topic.

British Jews have a wide range of conflicting views on Israel and on the actions of this Israeli government. I have never in any of my posts suggested British Jewish communities all feel the same way about Israel. A great many British Jews support the sanctions against the illegal settlements. A great many British Jews oppose them. I don’t think either side has reached those conclusions lightly.

And I am painfully aware of just how fearful the British Jewish community is about any rise in anti semitism.

But to exploit those legitimate fears to attempt to point score against the government - as you appear to be doing - is in my view abhorrent.

If you don't understand why the Chief Rabbi should stop condoning the crimes of Israeli settlers, I can't help you. His son is in the IDF. They are turning a blind eye at best, colluding at worst. As a faith leader, it is appalling that the Chief Rabbi won't mention this. It tarnishes his credibility. I judge everyone who is involved in terrorism against Israel and everyone who does not condemn such actions. I judge everyone who is involved in stealing Palestinian land, killing and beating Palestinian people and not speaking out. The Israeli government needs to be told they can't do what they want. I don't understand why you are an apologist for settler conduct in the West Bank and why you think it should not be condemned.

You are dismissing my views as invalid. They aren't divisive at all. You are depicting a very halcyon picture.

His son isn’t him you know.

Do you apply that rule to every public figure?

Believe me, I do not have a halcyon view of just how anti semitic this country can be. Nor do I have a halcyon view of just how fraught and emotionally charged the debate within the Jewish community about the actions of the Israeli government is.

It is less that I am dismissing your views, and more that I think your tone is adding unnecessary heat and aggression to a conversation that desperately needs nuance and thoughtfulness.

This is laughable.

Ed Miliband is a mainstream democratic socialist, he's no way a Marxist.

I think you might be mixing him up with his father.

The Chief Rabbi's statement sets out the Jewish perspective.

The trouble with that idea is that if you campaign about "violence by men", the male-dominated media, and men on social media, will make it all about how most victims of male violence are other men.

It will become all about the male victims.
Any opportunity to de-centre women will be taken.

So does everyone have to publicly express an opinion on things related to the organisations their children work for or just Jewish faith leaders?

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Jewish community, and of the Chief Rabbi’s role in Jewish life.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis is an enormously respected and influential leader. His opinions and insights are of course important, and Ed Miliband has responded respectfully to his statement. But the Chief Rabbi does not speak for all British Jews: he represents the United Hebrew Congregations but the Reform, Liberal, and strictly ultra-Orthodox communities all have their own leaders.

Judaism is deeply rooted in a tradition of internal debate, it’s a culture which values a plurality of opinions. The fears the Chief Rabbi has set out are completely legitimate, and they are shared by many British Jews, but to say there is one Jewish perspective is simply incorrect.

@LilacBalloonsit does extend to all women. Can I ask why that same empathy does not extend to Pro Palestine supporters who constantly dismiss and deny the horrendous sexual violence carried out by Hamas on 7th October. Instead I hear cries of ‘it never happened’ I have empathy for all women who are victims of sexual violence, oppressive regimes and cultures and misogyny! But it is evident that many other people don’t.

Good grief.

Well in this instance you're specifically criticising the UK government for seeking to take action to condemn and sanction Israel for (amongst other things) committing sexual violence as a method of waging war in the West Bank. It's hard for you to maintain the position that you do care about raped and abused women in Palestine when you're angry that our government is seeking to address the atrocities perpetrated against them.

Whereas your views on pro-Palestine supporters denying the horrific crimes perpetrated against Israeli women by Hamas have nothing to do with me, because I don't dispute that those evil crimes were committed, and I certainly don't defend Hamas, who are a truly horrific terrorist group.

If you think this you obviously have not been near a hospital recently.

Sadly I totally agree. I'm just so fucking fed up with it.