Prince Harry is facing backlash after weighing in on antisemitism and the war in the Middle East — with one critic now accusing the Duke of Sussex of making comments that are “woefully lacking in logic.”
Writing for the New Statesman, Harry addressed rising tensions in Britain tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the wider Middle East. The prince warned about increasing antisemitism while also acknowledging the humanitarian devastation happening overseas.
“Images from Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region – of devastated communities and entire neighbourhoods levelled and reduced to rubble – have shaken people to their core,” Harry wrote. “For many, the instinct to speak out, to march, to demand accountability, to call for an end to suffering – is both human and necessary.”
Harry also argued that criticism of government actions should not be confused with hatred toward Jewish communities in the UK.
But those comments immediately sparked criticism from Shimon Cohen, who blasted the prince’s position and claimed the logic behind the article was deeply flawed.
“Prince Harry’s foray into international politics is woefully lacking in logic,” Cohen said.
Cohen specifically pushed back on what he viewed as Harry linking hostility toward British Jews with anger over the situation in Gaza.
“The prince appeared to suggest that British Jews had experienced hostility and violence because of concerns about Gaza,” Cohen argued. “That veers dangerously close to victim-blaming, implying that the actions of a foreign government somehow justify attacks on entirely unrelated individuals in Britain.”
He then drew comparisons to anti-American sentiment in Britain, questioning why disagreement with foreign policy does not lead to attacks on ordinary Americans living in the UK.
“The prince might instead ask why, despite widespread opposition in the UK to American foreign policy and deep dislike of the US President, Americans are not being stabbed on the streets of London, nor are McDonald’s restaurants being firebombed,” Cohen stated.
“Civilised societies distinguish between disagreement with a government and violence against innocent people.”
The controversy arrives during a period of heightened concern over antisemitic incidents across Britain. Earlier this week, Charles III visited Golders Green to meet members of the Jewish community following a series of violent incidents in London.
Bottom line: Prince Harry’s attempt to address antisemitism and the war in Gaza has now triggered fierce backlash, with critics accusing the Duke of Sussex of crossing into dangerous political territory and making comments they believe blurred the line between protest and attacks on Jewish communities.
