Gibraltar Government condemns racism and anti-Semitism

CHIEF MINISTER of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo has issued a press release which roundly and unhesitatingly condemns the racist and anti-Semitic comments which have been made by some in respect of Together Gibraltar MP Marlene Hassan Nahon.

Based on untruths about Ms Hassan Nahon holding dual nationality with Israel, some persons on social media have suggested that Ms Hassan Nahon should somehow not be trusted.

These allegations clearly seek to bring people’s estimation of Ms Hassan Nahon down by reason of her religion.

He has decided as Leader of House, to refer these comments to the Royal Gibraltar Police for investigation as aggravated racism and Mr Picardo will also address Parliament respect of these comments.

Mr Picardo said: “Challenging and robust political debate about ideas and policies is what makes our nation such a rich, diverse and respectful democracy.

“For that reason, we must all decry and denounce those of a small minority who fail themselves and all of us by making racist and ant-Semitic statements about a Member of our Parliament based on her religion.

“This is in addition to insults also apparently made about her relating to her ethnicity and which she has rightly countered in correspondences and which I am also reviewing.

“My Government and I disagree with Marlene on many things and agree on many others – but our debate is about our differing policies and ideas on how we each think we can improve Gibraltar for all Gibraltarians and residents of Gibraltar.

“We have had to read similar comments recently insulting the Minister for Transport, Business and the Port arising from his ethnicity. For some to make racist and anti-Semitic remarks as part of supposed political debate is just anathema, alien, to the Gibraltar I know and love.

“People who say these things do so because they have lost the argument and can only attack a person’s religion or ethnicity when they have no arguments of substance left. Gibraltar is let down by such people who do not have the first understanding of democracy, respect and debate.

I will be saying more about this in Parliament when I will call for solidarity of all members with Ms Hassan Nahon in respect of these grave racist and anti-Semitic insults. As Leader of the House, I will also be referring these comments – and those making them – to the Commissioner of Police.”

Marlene Hassan Nahon is the daughter of the late first Chief Minister of Gibraltar Sir Joshua Hassan and having resigned from the Gibraltar Social Democrats she holds her seat in the Gibraltar Parliament as the leader of Together Gibraltar.

Written by

John Smith

Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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