A British network that represents and supports Muslim civil servants was suspended by the government pending an investigation, after it was accused of trying to influence members to force the United Kingdom to change its stance on the Israel-Hamas war while spreading antisemitic tropes, The Times of London reported Friday.
The Civil Service Muslim Network (CSMN) hosted a series of webinars in which an unnamed official reportedly described the war in Gaza as a “fight between good and evil,” portraying Israel as the latter and Hamas as the former.
The official spoke at several webinars since October 7, and several civil servants who attended shared memos from the meetings with The Times, saying they were concerned by the content of the talks.
Leaning on the antisemitic trope that Jews and Israel control the world, the official reportedly told hundreds of civil servants that the “Israel lobby” had an “insidious influence” on British politics. He provided tips and directions on how to defy the government’s policies while avoiding disciplinary action, such as joining a union.
The participants were reportedly advised to use conversations about mental health in the workplace as a way to advocate for anti-Israel positions, for example, recounting footage of the destruction in Gaza during check-ins with management.
“People know who’s responsible for that. You don’t have to say, ‘I condemn this people, this nation-state, who’s done this.’ People know,” one of the seminar’s organizers was quoted as saying.
“If you want to say that, in a team meeting, ‘sorry if I’m not with it today, because I just saw this,’ or ‘this is really getting to me.’ Then you’re reaching your team, you’re reaching your manager, and you’re raising your voice still. You’re not doing it recklessly. You’re doing it from a mental health perspective because that’s the lens you want to approach it from, a wellbeing perspective, right?” the organizer added, according to the report.
The Times also said he referenced a lecture given by anti-Israel rapper Lowkey, in which the musician claimed that the US and UK were more involved in the war in Gaza than the public knew, but that it was being covered up by the media.
Civil servants attending the webinars were reportedly encouraged to use apps and websites to help them boycott Israeli brands and companies that have expressed support for Israel like Marks & Spencer, McDonald’s and Starbucks.
They were told to complain anytime their departments published statements that could be interpreted as biased or “haven’t even mentioned Gaza or Palestine or whatever,” and that “it would be fine” if they were arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An organizer argued that their clearance would not be withdrawn as long as they weren’t waving Hamas banners, according to The Times.
After being made aware of the allegations on Friday, British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden ordered the CSMN’s immediate suspension pending an investigation.
“I am disgusted by these allegations, which represent a breach of the trust given to this organization and a betrayal of hard-working, diligent Muslim civil servants who wouldn’t dream of engaging in this sort of disturbing political activism,” he told The Times.
A spokesperson for the government told the newspaper in response that “all civil servants are required to obey the civil service code at all times, including in any staff network activity.”
“These reported comments are deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable and in no way represent the views of Muslims across the civil service.”
The spokesperson added that the concerns were shared by the CSMN and that the government would not hesitate to take “further action including disciplinary measures” if deemed necessary after the investigation is completed.