Mike Gapes

**Khalid Bin I** · 02-12-2004, 11:13 PM

Mike Gapes (Labour)

http://216.55.187.96/mpac/data/3f793273/m1.jpg

CONSITUENCY
Ilford South

MAJORITY
14200

MUSLIM POPULATION
9579

MPAC's SCORE
NILL, Anti Muslim

http://216.55.187.96/mpac/data/3f793273/m3.jpg

SUMMARY

Mike Gapes has been the Labour Party MP for Ilford South since 1992. He has a consistent pro-Israeli stance in a constituency with a high Muslim population and is also the Vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel. Gapes has made a number of disgraceful remarks in the House of Commons about Muslims and Muslim countries. In addition, he is a strong supporter of the Terrorism Act, which is designed to curb the activities of Islamic resistance movements. This new Act is also strongly supported by the governments of Israel, Russia and the USA. See comments section for a selection of some of his anti-Muslim comments made during his 8 years in the House of Commons, together with some of our responses to him.

PARLIAMENTARY VOTING

Amendment to government Iraq motion - 18.3.2003

MPs debating the Iraq crisis voted on an anti-war amendment. Rebels voted in favour. The motion was defeated. Against

Anti-war amendment in the Iraq debate - 26.2.2003

MPs voted on an amendment tabled by Chris Smith and Douglas Hogg. The amendment was not carried. Rebels voted in favour. Against

UN resolution 1441 - 25.11.2002

Liberal Democrat amendment limiting justification for war with Iraq without further UN sanction. Rebels voted for the amendment. Against

Home Office anti-terrorism legislation - 21.11.2001

Vote on the controversial bill giving the government the right to detain foreign terrorists without trial. Rebels voted against. The motion was passed. For International action against terrorism - 1.11.2001

Rebel vote against government's backing for air strikes on Afghanistan. Rebels voted for. Motion was lost. Against

MPAC QUESTIONNAIRE

No response to the MPAC questionnaire

COMMENTS/QUOTES

Defends the Zionist lobby

[4.2.98] Mr Mike Gapes: The hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames) referred to the baleful influence of the Zionist lobby. Perhaps we should also point out the baleful influence of what might be called an Arab lobby among those who do not comment on those issues and simply dismiss them.

Surely Mr Gapes is not trying to compare the well-organised and insidious influence of the Zionist lobby with the hitherto pathetic response of the Muslims at organising a counter pro-Islamic lobby? Note that there are 300,000 Jews in Britain but there are over two million Muslims in Britain. The Jewish community has over twenty declared MPs while the Muslims have only one MP! Yet, Mr Gapes appears to think there is some sort of equivalence between the Zionist lobby and the pro-Arab lobby. How odd!

Criticises the Arab Economic Boycott of Israel

[19.11.93] Mr Mike Gapes: I must take issue with my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) in that I do not believe that we should make any excuses for continuing the Arab economic boycott of Israel. The time to lift that boycott is now.

This was said by Mr Gapes in 1993 when Israel was still in occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon. It is noteworthy that Mr Gapes has never called for the lifting of the sanctions against Iraq, which are slowly decimating the Muslim population of Iraq.

Attacks Iraq, Defends Israel

[3.11.98] Mr. Mike Gapes (Ilford, South): Will my right hon. Friend utterly reject the propaganda by Radio Baghdad, and any little echo of it in the House or elsewhere, and make it clear that there can be no suggestion of equivalence between Israel and Iraq?

Far from just being 'propaganda', the Iraqis have correctly pointed out that the USA and Britain have insisted on every single UN resolution being scrupulously applied to Iraq - but they have hypocritically ignored the repeated UN resolutions calling on Israel to unconditionally withdraw from the occupied territories and the Syrian Golan Heights. Indeed, Britain and the USA have often exercised their veto power to prevent any criticism of Israel in the United Nations.

Opposes Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia

[13.7.94] Mr. Gapes: Will the Government be trying to work with the Chinese to veto any move by the United States to lift the arms embargo? In view of the remarks of the right hon. and learned Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) and of the Prime Minister yesterday, when he said that he was against the unilateral lifting of the arms embargo--may we have a categorical assurance that our Government will not give way to misguided pressure from the American Congress and President Clinton but will work with others to stop the lifting of the arms embargo?

It is important to remember here that the Bosnian Serbs continued to receive plentiful supplies of arms from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the Bosnian Croats continued to receive plentiful supplies of arms from Croatia. So while the UN imposed an air embargo on all sides (Bosnian Muslim, Croat and Serbian) it was only the Bosnian Muslims who really suffered because they had no access to heavy arms. This was the deceit which Muslims all over the world condemned - yet Mr Gapes supported this deceit.

[17.11.94] Mr. Mike Gapes (Ilford, South): Has the Foreign Secretary seen reports in today's The European to the effect that United States military and intelligence personnel are giving assistance to the Bosnian Muslim side in the conflict, at the same time as the Americans are withdrawing intelligence co-operation from Britain and France in the enforcement of the arms embargo in the Adriatic? Will the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity to condemn that intervention and to make it clear to the American Government that we do not take kindly to the fact that they are making the task of our troops in Bosnia much more dangerous?

Mr. Patrick Cormack (Staffordshire, South): Will my right hon. Friend repudiate what the hon. Gentleman has just said? He talked about the Bosnian Muslim side. Will my right hon. Friend make it quite plain that we are talking about the legitimately recognised Government of Bosnia, which is not purely Muslim, and that there would be no fighting now had the Serbs accepted, as the Bosnian Government reluctantly did, the contact group proposals?

Mr Gapes is here quite rightly criticised by Sir Patrick Cormack MP. It seems that Mr Gapes wanted the Muslims of Bosnia to receive no support from any source. Why did Mr Gapes not condemn the unjust UN arms embargo against the legitimate Bosnian Muslim government?

On Iran

[18.1.2000] Mr. Gapes: I would like to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on Iran's ability to produce missiles with a range of more than 500 miles.

Why was this question asked? Iran is a sovereign state and has the right to equip itself with whatever weapons it deems necessary for its defence. Why was no question asked about Israel's NUCLEAR missiles? Israel is the only nuclear power in the Middle East. Israel has repeatedly invaded Lebanon and has massacred tens of thousands of Lebanese and Palestinian Muslims, young and old. Surely Israel's possession of nuclear weapons should elicit a question or two from Mr Gapes?

[20.7.99] Mr. Mike Gapes (Ilford, South): Will he assure the House that as well as taking up the issue of minorities--including the Jewish minority--in Iran, we will not tolerate any reversion to the dreadful reactionary policies that were adopted under Khomeini?

The Jews of Iran (as well as Armenians and Greek Orthodox) are guaranteed representatives in the Iranian Majlis (parliament). Why does Mr Gapes not describe the Jewish treatment of the Palestinians as second-class citizens of Israel as 'dreadfully reactionary'?

On Syria

[10.3.98] Mr. Gapes: When my right hon. Friend [Mr Robin Cook] goes to Syria, will he emphasise to the Syrian Government the importance of Syria's being engaged in the process? Does he agree that if there is to be a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East it is not just a question of the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians? All the states neighbouring Israel must also recognise Israel and come to a peace settlement with Israel if there is to be lasting peace in the region.

Why should Syria recognise Israel? Israel was created by dispossessing the Palestinian people. Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967. Why did Mr Gapes not stress that Israel should unconditionally withdraw from the Golan Heights?

MPAC ARTICLES

MIKE GAPES: VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL AND A STAUNCH PRO WAR MP. VOTED IN BY A MAJORITY MUSLIM CONSTITUENCY!

http://www.mpacuk.org/mpac/data/da2f0b85/da2f0b85.jsp

The Muslim constituents of Ilford South have called for the resignation of Mike Gapes, vice-chairman of 'Labour Friends of Israel' and MP for Ilford South, following his vote in favour of the Iraqi invasion.

http://www.mpacuk.org/mpac/data/d189939a/d189939a.jsp

LFI leader survives de-selection threat from Muslims in Ilford

http://www.mpacuk.org/mpac/data/7b13ffba/7b13ffba.jsp

REFERENCES

www.votesmart.org.uk
www.guardian.co.uk
www.mpacuk.org

**LocalGenius** · 02-12-2004, 11:23 PM

I cant believe he is in governmet after such comments. what is the muslim population in that area doing.. I think they havent been voting

I just dont get these people...

**UmmZakariya** · 03-12-2004, 09:25 AM

the other thing about Gapes is what he doesnt say, he said absolutely nothing about the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, isnt there a large muslim gujarati community in Ilford didnt they call him up on that? I think hes Labour Friends of India as well...what about more domestic issues like faith schools, halal meat, religious discrimination law has he said anything in favour/against Muslims there? Anyone have an insight?

**TheBatman** · 04-12-2004, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by UmmZakariya

the other thing about Gapes is what he doesnt say, he said absolutely nothing about the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, isnt there a large muslim gujarati community in Ilford didnt they call him up on that? I think hes Labour Friends of India as well...what about more domestic issues like faith schools, halal meat, religious discrimination law has he said anything in favour/against Muslims there? Anyone have an insight?

No doubt about it, how so many as 15,000 stupid Muslims keep voting for him I dont know! Anyway thank Allah MPAC is taking the campaign on to remove him wohoooo! Lets see what happens!

**br ash** · 04-12-2004, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by TheBatman

No doubt about it, how so many as 15,000 stupid Muslims keep voting for him I dont know! Anyway thank Allah MPAC is taking the campaign on to remove him wohoooo! Lets see what happens!

It would be nice of MPAC to set a stick folder for each targeted MP, this way we can all contribute and post any article or comments made by MPs as such. This way we can be of help indirectly. STICKY (its considered important)

Please note when removing MPs we also want to encourage the Anglo Saxon population at large not to vote for likes of Gapes
. These people may not be motivated by Palestinian issues they be motivated by other issues.

I do not shop at M&S. Number of my Anglo-Saxon friends do. They are not influenced by what’s happening in Palestine. How do i influence them, by coming up facts that M&S has very high **** quality rating compared to others and that WHY I DO NOT BUY M&S. Therefore buying M&S is no different than like buying Ratners Jewellery (Remember the comment made by the Gerald Ratner) . ****. Guess what, it works. And that is all that matters.

Instead of having a tunnel vision, utilise everything that is available.

Remember that people no matter who they are have different motivation levels for different issues, the same also applies to Muslims .

We can call our Muslim brothers and Sisters stupid for voting for the likes of Mike Gapes. But then the strategist who are trying to change the minds of these people must also be stupid if they do not understand or comprehend why theses Muslims brother and sisters vote for the likes of Mike Grape. YES.

If they did, they could easily counter act, if they cant it shows they them self have little understanding of the mentality of the voters they are trying influence. The OBJECTIVE IS NO MATTER WHAT TO CHANGE THE MIND OF THE VOTERS, MUSLIMS AND ANGLO SAXONS.

The only way that is going to happen is by means creative methods.

Just a thought

Salaam

Ash

**TheBatman** · 07-12-2004, 06:50 PM

too right, mpacuk needs a list of who is 'hot' and who is 'not' on the site, and even downloadable leaflets for local activists to download and print and distribute!

**Mahmood** · 15-01-2005, 01:40 PM

So this guy supported the 'genocide' against Bosnian Muslims and he is still a MP! Its more than just time to show this guy the door - time to unite and get these people out of paraliment and show people especially British Muslims who are likely to support this man or not vote at all what is representing them.

**PresidentWPM** · 15-01-2005, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mahmood

So this guy supported the 'genocide' against Bosnian Muslims and he is still a MP! Its more than just time to show this guy the door - time to unite and get these people out of paraliment and show people especially British Muslims who are likely to support this man or not vote at all what is representing them.

That's why MPAC has taken on the task of politicising Muslims so that they can vote sensibly. But by far the best way of removing MPs is by joining the Political Party they're in and DESELECTING them before the election.

Once they're selected, 3/4 of the battle for us is already lost. It becomes an uphill struggle to convince the electorate to vote against a particular candidate because, by this time, they're voting on issues and they know it's the Party that makes the decisions and everyone else tows the line.

So, let's join political parties and even stand for office. Then we can change politics from within Parliament/Council Chambers.

What I mean is that if the 9500 or so Muslims in Ilford South (Gapes's Constituency) join Labour, they can deselect him before any election rather than just vote against him. The Muslims of Ilford South need to vote tactically this time round; and next time, join Labour and deselect him.

The Pres.

**Ali-Gation** · 15-01-2005, 08:25 PM

STOP TALKING START ACTING

Election history

2001 General Election
Mike Gapes, Labour 24,619 59.6%
Suresh Kumar, Conservative 10,622 25.7%
Ralph Scott, Liberal Democrat 4,647 11.3 %

Liberal democrates can't win , only hope is the conservatives

# Now a strategic campaign needs to be launched to oust this minister by May when the election will be. Now the constituency has a large asian base, problem is the non-muslims asians natural base is labour, now strategic plan has to be instigated to transfer that vote to conservative ..

How ?

first of all dont just sit there, if you live in ilford south start an anti-mike gapes campaign

**Ali-Gation** · 15-01-2005, 08:35 PM

But by far the best way of removing MPs is by joining the Political Party they're in and DESELECTING them before the election

What I mean is that if the 9500 or so Muslims in Ilford South (Gapes's Constituency) join Labour, they can deselect him before any election

WELL what are you waiting for get people informed of the situation and if possible insigate a deselction before the election in may! "STOP TALKING START ACTING" .. because tomorrow it will be too late .. this is war againt mike gapes !

look into muslim groups in ilford south etc etc

**PresidentWPM** · 15-01-2005, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Ali-Gation

WELL what are you waiting for get people informed of the situation and if possible insigate a deselction before the election in may! "STOP TALKING START ACTING" .. because tomorrow it will be too late .. this is war againt mike gapes !

look into muslim groups in ilford south etc etc

Unfortunately, I don't live live in Ilford. But the MPAC management team do - their head quarters are in Ilford methinks - and they're doing a fine job leafletting and talking to Muslims in that area.

In Birmingham, we're having trouble keeping the Muslim-friendly MPs whom the Zionists are trying to deselect. The Zionists get involved in politics more than any other race and tend to outnumber their adversaries. I'm doing my bit in my constituency.

I wonder how many Muslim-friendly MPs are being targetted by the Zionists.

I'm just trying to give the people of Ilford and other constituencies that have Zionist MPs to get involved and deselect them. It's too late for this general election as for the first 6 months, you don't have a say! But next time...

BTW, I'm going to join MPAC at the recruitment event tomorrow. I'll mention it then.

The Pres.

**PipleWala** · 24-01-2005, 01:32 AM

inshallah mpac will do a good job. When is mpac planning to start this revolution in ilford?? Or if they have already done so then since when have they started?? I would like to help