Sadiq Khan has apologised to the Chief Rabbi after implying that the Jewish leader's criticism of his call for a Gaza ceasefire was influenced by Islamophobia.
During an interview, the London Mayor challenged why he received such vicious criticism over his support for a ceasefire when other mayors, including Andy Burnham and the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, had no equivalent response.
Khan previously called for a ceasefire in Gaza but was condemned by Sir Ephraim Mirvis in November, who said the Mayor's call was "irresponsible" and that a ceasefire would be "a stepping stone to yet more Hamas brutality".
In response, Khan said: "I’d ask those Jewish people to just pause and reflect on their response to me calling for a ceasefire."
Sadiq Khan has apologised to the Chief Rabbi after implying that the Jewish leader's criticism of his call for a Gaza ceasefire was influenced by IslamophobiaGettyHe said that he was "disappointed by some of the response from Jewish leaders, Jewish friends".
"What motivated them to come out in the way they did against the mayor of London, and the mayor of Greater Manchester — I’ll give you a clue, he’s not called ‘Ahmed Bourani’, he’s called Andy Burnham, whereas I’m called Sadiq Khan," the mayor said in a video interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan.
However, on Friday Khan said that he had reached out to Mirvis to apologise.
In a post on social media, he said: "The Chief Rabbi, along with other Jewish leaders, has been a friend to me, and we have worked hard together to unite our city and celebrate our diversity.
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"I have been in contact with the Chief Rabbi to apologise for my comments."
In a statement to The Jewish Chronicle, he added: "At times it is clear to me, and others, that as a mayor of London of Islamic faith, I am held to a different standard and that can be frustrating, particularly during a divisive election campaign.
"But, it wasn’t fair of me to have levelled that frustration at the chief rabbi. I am sorry for any hurt this has caused and will continue working with Jewish leaders to build a safer London for everyone."
It comes less than a week before mayor elections where Khan is seeking a third term.
Khan previously called for a ceasefire in Gaza but was condemned by Sir Ephraim Mirvis in November, who said the Mayor's call was "irresponsible" and that a ceasefire would be "a stepping stone to yet more Hamas brutality"
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The conflict in Gaza has sparked weekly Pro-Palestinian protests across London.
When asked in the interview about the marches in the capital, Khan said of protesters that "a small minority have said things that in my view are antisemitic".
He also called on demonstrators "not to say" things that they know to be upsetting to Jewish friends or neighbours.