Former Arsenal kit man launches unfair dismissal claim following ‘anti-Semitic' comments
A former Arsenal academy kit man has launched a legal action against the club, claiming he was unfairly dismissed for expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Mark Bonnick, 61, was fired on Christmas Eve last year after Arsenal carried out an investigation into a series of messages posted on his social media pages.
Those messages included references to 'Jewish supremacy' and 'ethnic cleansing', while one of them read: 'Hamas offered to release all hostages in October. Zionist Israel refused. Persecution complex.'
Another post read: 'It is all about Jewish supremacy and not wanting to share the land. Ethnic cleansing.'
In his legal action, Bonnick has demanded that Arsenal reinstate him and issue an apology. In a statement, he has said: 'Israel is an apartheid state. I was sacked not for misconduct, but for expressing grief and outrage over genocide. Despite being this close to retirement, I have no regrets. Arsenal must apologise, reinstate me, and take a stand against anti-Palestinian racism.'
The legal team representing Bonnick, who worked for Arsenal for more than two decades and is a lifelong supporter of the club, is arguing that he was targeted by a 'coordinated online smear campaign by pro-Israel Twitter accounts'.
Bonnick's legal team has claimed that Arsenal's investigation did not find Bonnick's posts to be anti-Semitic, but that he was dismissed on the grounds that he brought the club into disrepute.
Franck Magennis, of Garden Court Chambers, representing Bonnick, said in a statement: 'It's an honour to represent Mark. His dismissal sends a chilling message to those who speak out against apartheid and genocide. Arsenal must be held accountable.'
It was reported in December that Arsenal had received complaints about Bonnick's posts from one of their supporter groups, with the club saying in a statement at the time: 'We are investigating this matter in line with our internal policies and procedures. Arsenal stands against all forms of abuse and discrimination.'
Arsenal have been approached for comment.
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