Newly Elected Your Party Official Faces Antisemitism Allegations
Solma Ahmed, a recently elected member of Your Party's governing Central Executive Committee, has been accused of promoting what Jewish groups describe as 'dangerous antisemitic tropes'. The controversy stems from her suggestion that 'the Israel lobby' prompted an Ofsted inspection of a Bristol school.
School Visit Controversy Sparks Allegations
The 65-year-old former civil servant commented on social media platform X after Labour MP Damien Egan's scheduled visit to Bristol Brunel Academy was postponed in September. The school cancelled the visit upon learning about planned pro-Palestine demonstrations. When reports emerged that Ofsted was set to inspect the institution, Ms Ahmed posted in January: 'The Israel lobby does not exist,' followed by a clown face emoji.
This comment has drawn significant criticism from Jewish organizations and political observers who argue it perpetuates harmful conspiracy theories about Jewish influence in British politics.
Further Controversial Statements Examined
Ms Ahmed's social media history reveals additional contentious remarks. Regarding the tragic deaths of British-Israeli mother Lucy Dee and her two daughters in a suspected Palestinian gun attack in April 2023, Ms Ahmed described the incident as 'sad' but suggested it demonstrated 'the radicalisation of the Jewish community'.
The newly elected committee member, who previously worked at the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government until 2016, has made several other statements that have raised concerns among Jewish community leaders.
Pattern of Controversial Commentary
In 2023, Ms Ahmed suggested the Nobel Peace Prize had become 'the Zionists prize' after it was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has voiced support for Israel. She also commented that Bangladesh's former autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina was preferable because 'at least [she] doesn't support genocide or friends of Israel'.
Regarding Labour Party candidate selection processes, Ms Ahmed previously stated that 'apparently you can't win unless you're part of LFI,' referring to Labour Friends of Israel. She left the Labour Party in July 2022, explaining that 'as a Muslim I feel Labour no longer represents and supports my faith and principles'.
Jewish Community Response
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council issued a strong statement: 'Continued conspiratorial references to an alleged 'pro-Israel' influence over British politics from a newly elected member of Your Party's Central Executive Committee draw on some of the oldest and most dangerous antisemitic tropes.'
The spokesperson added: 'These ideas have been used to vilify Jewish people throughout history and have no place in British politics. Many British Jews will look at these developments with great concern, mindful of where such rhetoric can lead.'
A Jewish Labour source commented: 'This is a reminder that whilst these extremists are thankfully no longer in the Labour Party, they have not disappeared from British politics. There should be no place in any political party for antisemitism.'
Political Background and Election
Ms Ahmed was elected to Your Party's Central Executive Committee last month as one of two representatives for the East of England. The election saw Jeremy Corbyn become the party's de facto leader, with his The Many slate winning 14 of the 24 available committee seats.
Previously a member of Momentum, the Corbynite socialist Labour group, Ms Ahmed ran as part of former Labour MP Zarah Sultana's Grassroots Left slate, which secured seven committee positions. The newly formed committee is scheduled to meet for the first time this week.
Additional Controversial Remarks
In January, Ms Ahmed described the Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish communities on safety matters, as 'a stain on combatting real antisemitism and should be ashamed'. This comment followed the Metropolitan Police's decision to redirect a pro-Palestinian protest route away from London's Central Synagogue after requests from 80 MPs and peers.
When another X user reported witnessing eight Nazi salutes during a pro-Palestine march, Ms Ahmed responded: 'Wow, 8 nazi salutes out of hundreds of thousands of marchers? Good god it's truly horrifying!' – a comment some interpreted as downplaying the significance of such gestures.
Your Party has been contacted for comment regarding these allegations against their newly elected committee member.
