Major Labour donor Dale Vince has ignited a political firestorm after suggesting the Israeli government bears partial responsibility for a global rise in antisemitism, comments made in the wake of a deadly terror attack in Sydney.
Controversial Comments and Immediate Backlash
The green energy tycoon, whose company Ecotricity has donated over £5 million to the Labour Party, made the remarks on social media platform X following the murder of 15 people at a Hanukah event at Bondi beach. In a post on Sunday, Vince quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that "antisemitism spreads when leaders stay silent."
Vince responded: "Nothing to do with Israel committing Genocide in Palestine then. Netanyahu wants antisemitism to be a thing, it validates him – he acts to make it so." The comments drew swift and severe condemnation from senior Conservative figures.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled it a "morally repugnant statement," demanding to know if Labour leader Keir Starmer would condemn his financial backer. She wrote: "Hours after the biggest massacre of Jews since Oct 7th, the Labour party’s largest donor tweeted ‘Netanyahu wants antisemitism to be a thing’... Staying silent implies he sees nothing wrong."
Clarifications and Political Pressure
Facing intense criticism, Vince posted a clarification on Monday, insisting his words were "not intended to excuse or legitimise terrorism, or any form of racism." He described the Bondi attack as an "atrocity" but stood by his core argument.
"If antisemitism is rising in the world today then surely on any rational analysis, the biggest single cause of that will be the genocide in Palestine," he wrote, adding, "I condemn all acts of violence and all forms of racism."
The Conservative Party chair, Kevin Hollinrake, called Vince's initial language "disgraceful" and urged Labour to return all donations from him and refuse future ones, stating that any language legitimising terrorism "undermines our values."
Labour's Response and Donor Scrutiny
A Labour spokesperson responded forcefully, declaring the antisemitic attack "sickening" and stating there "can never and should never be any excuses made for barbaric acts of terrorism." The party emphasised its commitment to tackling antisemitism.
It was revealed that Vince is not a Labour member and has not donated to the party since May 2024. Labour stated that all donations are considered on a case-by-case basis, with party "values" being a key factor.
This incident echoes recent controversies over political donors, notably the Conservatives' handling of comments by their top donor, Frank Hester, who said looking at MP Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot." The Tories kept his donations after an apology.
