Labour MP forced to apologise after calling Israeli government ‘fascist’

A LABOUR MP was forced to apologise for calling the Israeli government “fascist” and an “apartheid state”.

Kim Johnson said sorry in the House of Commons after she was slapped down by Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer for her “unacceptable” remarks at PMQs.

Labour said the Chief Whip would be speaking to her about the remarks.

The Liverpool Riverside MP said there are “far-right elements” in the Israeli government.

But she said she was wrong to have used the term “fascist” and said it was “particularly insensitive given the history of the state of Israel”.

She added she recognised the use of “apartheid state” was “insensitive”.

Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge called Ms Johnson’s language “dangerous”.

The former veteran frontbencher said: “This language is unacceptable and dangerous.

“With violence escalating in recent weeks, this careless remark only makes it harder to bridge the divide.”