Bucks MP Faces Backlash Over Israel-Hamas Social Media Post

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Joy Morrissey, the Conservative MP for Marlow and Beaconsfield, has sparked controversy with a social media post following her meeting with mothers of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The post, described by critics as inflammatory, has drawn sharp rebuke from local groups and individuals for its tone and content.

In her post, Morrissey described the meeting as “profound,” praising the resilience of the mothers enduring “unimaginable” pain. She wrote, “No campaigns, no Glastonbury crowd demanding their release, nothing. Silence. The only sound is that of the hysterical mob marching the streets, calling for the destruction of their nation and their very existence. Antisemitism is all too alive, well and indulged in this country. It is rapidly becoming a shameful episode in the nation’s history.”

The remarks prompted a fierce response from Marlow Palestine Action, a local advocacy group, which condemned the MP’s words as “harmful” and “offensive.” In a statement, they expressed being “appalled and deeply saddened” by Morrissey’s characterisation of pro-Palestinian marches as a “hysterical mob.” They argued that the term was “not only irresponsible and offensive, but dangerously divisive,” given the thousands of citizens who have peacefully protested the loss of Palestinian lives. The group further criticised Morrissey for ignoring the global outcry over the conflict’s toll and questioned whether she would show equal compassion for Palestinian mothers grieving their children.

Marlow Palestine Action also highlighted that many Jewish people worldwide oppose the Israeli government’s actions and support Palestinian rights, urging the MP to retract her statement and engage with the broader public concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In response, Morrissey stood by her comments while expressing sympathy for all victims of the conflict. “As a mother, my heart breaks for every innocent life lost in Gaza, especially the children,” she said. “Each life taken is a profound tragedy. I also feel deep sorrow for the mothers whose children remain held hostage by Hamas. Their pain is unimaginable, and it weighs heavily on all of us.” She added that her post aimed to address the “alarming rise in antisemitism” in the UK, citing recent events that have caused “fear and distress” within the Jewish community. “We need to act before a Jewish person in the UK is killed because anti-Israel anger is used to justify antisemitism,” she stated..

The controversy underscores the deep divisions over the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Morrissey’s post reigniting debates about free speech, antisemitism, and the framing of public protests. While the MP insists her remarks were meant to highlight a rise in antisemitic incidents, critics argue they unfairly vilify peaceful demonstrators and overlook Palestinian suffering. The row is likely to fuel further discussion about how politicians navigate this deeply emotive issue.