Nottinghamshire councillor issues apology over 'destruction of Israel' claim

A Nottinghamshire councillor has apologised for any "distress" he has caused after suggesting one of his colleagues called for the destruction of Israel. A heated debate at a Gedling Borough Council meeting in July surrounded a motion about the conflict in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire.

During the debate, Labour's Councillor Paul Wilkinson suggested that Councillor Russell Whiting, an independent member of the council, had called for the destruction of Israel. Councillor Whiting immediately asked Councillor Wilkinson to withdraw the comment, with the latter replying: "I will not withdraw."

Months on, Councillor Wilkinson has now apologised for his comments. Speaking at the beginning of a meeting at Gedling Borough Council's HQ on Wednesday (November 13), Councillor Wilkinson said: "At the full council meeting of the 26th of July 2024, I stated that Councillor Whiting had called for the destruction of Israel.

"I accept that Councillor Whiting did not say this and apologise for stating that he did. I also apologise for any distress this caused. I support the two state solution in the Middle East, which would create a state of Palestine alongside a safe and secure state of Israel."

Councillor Whiting said in a brief reply: "The apology is welcome and accepted." Councillor Whiting, who represents Colwick, was previously a Labour councillor before he resigned from the party in October 2023 over Keir Starmer's "reprehensible" stance on Gaza.