SCOTTISH Labour peer George Foulkes has been called on by members of his own party to apologise and withdraw comments directed at Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla.
The Labour Muslim Network said they had written to Lord Foulkes following a post on Twitter/X on Tuesday.
The post by Foulkes said: "It appears that Humza Yousaf's policy is determined by Nadia El-Nakla", in reaction to a tweet questioning how the First Minister's stance on a ceasefire in Gaza would work.
Nadia's parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, travelled to Gaza before the war to visit his 93-year-old mother when Hamas attacked Israel, and remained there until November.
The couple had been candid about their fears for their safety.
Following a tweet posted by Labour Peer @GeorgeFoulkes on December 12th 2023, we have written today calling on Lord Foulkes to public withdraw his comments and apologise. We have seen the sharp rise of Islamophobia across Britain over the past months. It is more important than… pic.twitter.com/9TMvFV2w2K
— Labour Muslim Network (@LabourMuslims) December 13, 2023
Foulkes, a former MSP and MP, has appeared to since delete the post.
The Labour Muslim Network wrote on Wednesday: "Following a tweet posted by Labour Peer @GeorgeFoulkes on December 12th 2023, we have written today calling on Lord Foulkes to public withdraw his comments and apologise.
"We have seen the sharp rise of Islamophobia across Britain over the past months. It is more important than ever that public officials lead by example."
The Muslim Association of Britain also reacted to his post, writing: "It seems the rot within the @UKLabour Party is not just limited to their MPs in the commons, but to the Peers in the Lords too.
"What an absolutely vile thing to say."
One social media user called on Foulkes' branch, Edinburgh West, to take "urgent action".
"The CLP [Constituency Labour Party] should suspend and report Foulkes as a matter of principle and a matter of urgency."
Labour have been contacted for comment.
The First Minister previously wrote to all political leaders in the UK, urging them to back a ceasefire in Gaza.
