Boycott of Downing Street Eid celebration planned over Gaza

When I heard this on TV news I lifted my head because I’d heard it as MPs boycotting the Eid ‘celebrations’ because of the violence and anti-semitism of the weekly pro-Palestine demonstrations. But no, it’s Muslim MPs led by Baroness Warsi throwing their toys out of the pram. 

Some Conservative politicians as well as business and charity leaders have said they will boycott the government’s Eid event over its support of Israel.

The annual event, hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is set to take place in Downing Street on Monday.

The BBC understands some invitees will not go in protest of Israel’s military action in Gaza.

The BBC understands Baroness Warsi is one of the Conservative politicians planning to boycott the event, along with at least two Tory MPs. She quit as Foreign Office Minister in David Cameron’s cabinet in 2014, saying the government’s policy over Gaza was “morally indefensible”.

Asif Ansari, a leading businessman and charity fundraiser, said: “As a Muslim, I think it’s very important for the Muslim community to have good relations with the British government. However, I feel very, very strongly this year with the position that the British government is taking. They are supporting Israel who stand accused of genocide, they stand accused of war crimes, the deprivation of water and food to women and children has left many starving  the killing of three British aid workers – after which Lord Cameron has said the UK would continue to supply arms to Israel – was an absolute red line.”

A similar event held during Ramadan hosted by President Biden was subjected to a boycott of the White House earlier this month by those protesting US support for Israel.

Meanwhile in Sydney there won’t be any MPs at the Eid celebration either; because the Lambeka mosque hasn’t invited them for a similar reason.

Lakemba Mosque secretary Gamel Kheir said it was an easy decision to not invite any MPs to this year’s annual Eid prayer . . . Last month, both the Victorian and NSW annual state iftar were cancelled, as the country’s peak Islamic bodies refused invitations due to the government’s response to Gaza.

All those jolly Eid greetings, against the acceptable background of geometric patterns and lanterns have gone to waste. I even got Eid greetings in my Facebook feed from a local councillor and a park. Naughty dhimmis have not obeyed.