Jeremy Corbyn refuses to call Hamas a terrorist group in interview with Piers Morgan
News
Former UK Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to label Hamas a terrorist group on Monday during a heated interview with talk show host Piers Morgan.
The far-left politician did not give a direct answer when Morgan repeatedly asked him whether the Palestinian militants who launched a devastating attack on Israel last month were terrorists during a “Piers Morgan uncensored” segment.
“Are they a terrorist group?” —Morgan asked.
“Everyone knows what they are,” the MP responded to the TalkTV host.
“Are they a terrorist group?” Morgan asked again. “Can you say it? Can you say it? Can you call them a terrorist group?”
“Is it possible to have a rational discussion with you?” Corbyn asked in response as he attempted to talk through Morgan’s repeated questioning.
The two continued to engage in a shouting match as Corbyn tried to plead for a ceasefire while Morgan continued to ask about Hamas.
The verbal spat came to an end when Morgan’s other guest, former Unite the Union general secretary Len McCluskey, said: “Of course” Hamas is a terrorist group.
“Why can’t you say that?” Morgan addressed an upset Corbyn.
Hamas, the ruling body in Gaza, has been designated a terrorist group by the United States, the United Kingdom government and the European Union.
At the beginning of the interview, Corbyn “completely condemned” the Hamas sneak attack on the Jewish state that left some 1,200 Israelis dead (the latest figure came after Israel initially reported that 1,400 of its inhabitants had died).
“Of course yes, in every speech I have given I have roundly condemned the murder of October 7 and it was the taking of innocent lives. It was totally wrong under any circumstances. You cannot recover the tragedy of those 1,400 deaths by killing 10,000 in Gaza. You have to have a process that leads to a ceasefire,” Corbyn said, also stating during the interview that he does not support Hamas.
The former party leader also said that it is “not up to you or me” whether Hamas remains in power when asked by Morgan if he believes the group should maintain its control over Gaza.
Corbyn was suspended by Britain’s opposition party in 2020 for refusing to acknowledge a damning report into his handling of anti-Semitism complaints.
The report alleges Corbyn’s office breached equality laws by its “inexcusable” handling of complaints.
He appeared on Morgan’s show after attending and speaking at a large pro-Palestinian rally over the weekend where some protesters reportedly chanted anti-Semitic slogans or carried bigoted signs.
Responding to cases of antisemitism, he told Morgan: “If you are breaking the law and displaying illegal signs, then obviously the police have to act,” while emphasizing the “peaceful nature” of the demonstration.
