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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Miriam Margolyes's OBE should be stripped, says anti-Semitism group
Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) has called for Miriam Margolyes's OBE to be stripped. The Harry Potter actress, who is Jewish, claimed Adolf Hitler has 'won' by making Jewish people 'like him' during Israel's recent occupation of Gaza. The 83-year-old added that while she acknowledged the 'wickedness and cruelty' inflicted on Jews by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, the Israeli government was now doing the same to Palestinians in Gaza. She said in an interview with The Big Issue: 'I cannot bear to think that my people are doing exactly the same thing to another nation. 'And the nation they are doing it to, the Palestinian nation, was not responsible for the Holocaust, it had nothing to do with it. That was a purely European pleasure. 'So my heart is broken and I think the terrible thing I have to face is Hitler won. He changed us. He made us like him.' Now a spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for the actress to be stripped of her OBE that she won for her performance in The Age of Innocence in 1993. The group added that the comparison between Nazi Germany and Jews was 'racist bilge'. 'This must be the end of the road for Miriam Margolyes. The fact that she was born Jewish does not give her a licence to use her immense platform to spread anti-Jewish venom,' the spokesman said. 'Saying that Hitler converted the Jews into Nazis is flat out racist bilge and she must be shunned by the show business world that has fawned and bowed until now. This includes stripping her of her Bafta. 'We will be writing to the Honours Forfeiture Committee to ask that her OBE be removed.' Margolyes touched on similar themes on social media earlier this week, saying Hitler had turned Jews 'from being compassionate and caring .. into this vicious, genocidal, nationalist nation'. 'Jewish and vile' The British-Australian actress has a history of making controversial comments about the war in Gaza, having also said she had 'never been so ashamed of Israel' over its tactics in Gaza. She has previously called on Jews to 'shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire' in Gaza. In October last year, Margolyes was cleared over comments she made during a BBC interview in which she used the phrase ' Jewish and vile '. Despite a complaint to the Executive Complaints Unit, the BBC's highest complaints body, ruled that her comments were not racist. Margolyes's latest comments likening Jews to Hitler have been seized upon by pro-Palestinian supporters on social media. More than six million Jews died at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War Two. Jonathan Sacerdoti, a broadcaster and campaigner against anti-Jewish racism who submitted the complaint to the BBC, said Margolyes was known to make offensive comments about Jews. Pressure on Israel The opposition against Israel's occupation of Gaza has grown in recent weeks following claims the Israeli government was blocking aid from the territory's two million residents. Pictures on social media of starving Palestinian children in Gaza in recent weeks have also helped increase pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza, which has been going on for a year and nine months. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, has backed a push by more than one third of Labour MPs for the UK to follow Emmanuel Macron and recognise the Palestinian state. Sir Keir Starmer has so far resisted the pressure, amid fears Labour could lose 20 seats over the issue at the next election.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
LBC host James O'Brien issues on-air apology after reading out antisemitic message about Jewish children - sparking raft of complaints to Ofcom
An LBC radio presenter has apologised for reading out a listener's message claiming Jewish children in Britain are taught to view Arabs as 'cockroaches to be crushed'. James O'Brien sparked fury for reading the antisemitic comments without challenging them while discussing the conflict in Gaza during yesterday's programme. The 53-year-old host was allegedly sent the message from someone called Chris in Oxford who said his wife had been taught at a 'Shabbat school' in Hertfordshire. The listener claimed she was also told 'one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives'. Mr O'Brien read out the message before a shortened version was shared by LBC on social media, then deleted after a furious backlash from Jewish organisations. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was a 'modern blood libel on national radio', and communications regulator Ofcom has received a number of complaints. When reading out the message yesterday, Mr O'Brien said: 'I'm fascinated by objectivity, which is why I'm going to read out this from Chris, because you do find yourself wondering how people can be looking at the same world you're looking at and arriving at such completely different conclusions. 'The polling we looked at in Ha'aretz, displaying support not just for ethnic cleansing, but also for genocide, on levels that many of us would find terrifying. 'And of course it's not confined, as Chris writes from Oxford – "I'm loving the show" – thank you, Chris – "and the high quality of callers today, but I do think it's worth saying that these warped views are not just an Israeli problem. '"My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. '"Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides" – as Chris points out – "then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty, and it does indeed start young. '"There is a danger perhaps that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda processes."' A shortened version of this was then shared by LBC in a social media video post, with the caption: '"At Shabbat school, my wife was taught that one Jewish life is worth a thousand Arab lives". Listener Chris outlines to James O'Brien the "danger" of "propaganda processes" spreading.' What did James O'Brien say on LBC? Original broadcast yesterday 'I'm fascinated by objectivity, which is why I'm going to read out this from Chris, because you do find yourself wondering how people can be looking at the same world you're looking at and arriving at such completely different conclusions. 'The polling we looked at in Ha'aretz, displaying support not just for ethnic cleansing, but also for genocide, on levels that many of us would find terrifying. 'And of course it's not confined, as Chris writes from Oxford – "I'm loving the show" – thank you, Chris – "and the high quality of callers today, but I do think it's worth saying that these warped views are not just an Israeli problem. '"My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. '"Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides" – as Chris points out – "then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty, and it does indeed start young." '"There is a danger perhaps that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda processes."' Apology today 'This is very important. At this time yesterday on the show, I read out a message from a listener called Chris who said that his wife had been brought up in the Jewish faith and had attended what he described as a "Shabbat school". 'He went on to make further claims about what he said she had been taught in that school. 'As with all the texts and messages that I read out on the programme, I did so in good faith, but the message has understandably upset a lot of people, and I regret taking those unsubstantiated claims at face value, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. 'It is very important that I get that out there, and thank you for your attention.' This post has since been deleted by LBC. But the comments sparked fury, with the Jewish Leadership Council describing the unchallenged read-out as 'irresponsible and dangerous journalism'. The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it was 'urgently seeking a meeting with senior executives' at LBC, and called on the station to take Mr O'Brien off air. And the Jewish News pointed out that 'while there is certainly a concept of 'Sunday school', or 'cheder', for Jewish children, there is no such thing as 'Shabbat school'.' The broadcast has also allegedly been reported to the Metropolitan Police - with one complaint claiming the programme spread 'lies about Jews', according to The Telegraph. Ofcom confirmed to MailOnline that it had received complaints about the content, which were now being assessed. While Mr O'Brien presented his show as normal today, he addressed the controversy at 11.48am, which was the same time he read out the message yesterday. He said: 'This is very important. At this time yesterday on the show, I read out a message from a listener called Chris who said that his wife had been brought up in the Jewish faith and had attended what he described as a 'Shabbat school'. 'He went on to make further claims about what he said she had been taught in that school. 'As with all the texts and messages that I read out on the programme, I did so in good faith, but the message has understandably upset a lot of people, and I regret taking those unsubstantiated claims at face value, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. 'It is very important that I get that out there, and thank you for your attention.' A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesman told MailOnline today: 'This was a modern blood libel on national radio, amplified by a host who likely wouldn't think twice about cutting off the statement were it promoting such grotesque falsehoods about another minority. No such generosity for the Jews. 'The suggestion that one "side" of this conflict is the genocidal monsters of Hamas who slaughtered 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage, and the other "side" is the Jewish community in Hertfordshire, is not only a baseless fiction and totally repugnant but to broadcast it is unbelievably reckless. 'It is practically an invitation to disaffected people to target Jews in the UK – why not, if they are a 'side' in this conflict? 'It is deplorable the depths that some talk show hosts will sink to inflame their listeners and drive up ratings. The consequences are borne by British Jews. We are formally complaining to Ofcom. 'While we welcome LBC's deletion of the post and Mr O'Brien's apology, perhaps he might take a break from moralising to the nation and reflect on why a listener like that understood that his was exactly the right show to promote this bile, and why Mr O'Brien himself was only too ready to treat the claims as entirely plausible and convenient to his narrative. 'What does that say about his own prejudices and views on certain topics to which British Jews are particularly sensitive?' After yesterday's broadcast, a Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson said: 'For James O'Brien to uncritically read out this outrageous claim as the truth is irresponsible and dangerous journalism. 'At a time of heightened antisemitism when synagogues and Jewish schools require increased security, the threat created by such unsubstantiated claims is real. LBC must urgently investigate and explain how this was allowed to be read out by their presenter.' Andrew Gilbert, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, added: 'We are urgently seeking a meeting with senior executives following the completely unacceptable and highly offensive comments made by James O'Brien on his LBC show today. 'Broadcasting such a transparent falsehood and demonising the British Jewish community – at a time when antisemitism in this country is at terrifyingly high levels – must have clear consequences. LBC should apologise and take Mr O'Brien off the air.' An Ofcom spokeswoman told MailOnline today: 'We are assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.' MailOnline has contacted LBC and the Metropolitan Police for comment. Israel is continuing its campaign in the Gaza Strip against Hamas after the October 6 attacks saw around 1,200 Israelis killed during a militant incursion into the country. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Around two thirds are women and children, according to previous casualty analysis by the UN. The UK was among 28 countries to sign a letter calling on Israel to end the war in Gaza 'now' amid a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, which has been all but completely decimated by Israeli strikes. Sir Keir Starmer was among the world leaders to express concern at the suffering endured by civilians in Gaza, which the statement noted had reached 'new depths'. The Israeli model of delivering aid, the letter said, was 'dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity'. More than 1,000 people seeking aid have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to get food, the UN's Human Rights Office said yesterday. Its claims could not be immediately verified. A spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the statement was 'disconnected from reality' while President Isaac Herzog maintained the state was operating 'according to international law' on a visit to Gaza on Wednesday. Mediators in Qatar are hosting talks between Israel and Hamas on a 60-day ceasefire that could see hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel is demanding the dismantling of Hamas itself, while the militant terror group wants guarantees on a lasting truce, a withdrawal from Gaza and the free flow of aid. James O'Brien's previous 'antisemitism' controversy LBC host James O'Brien has previously found himself in hot water after sharing a video that was criticised by some as antisemitic. Last year, he circulated a video of a Muslim man in a balaclava apparently preparing to throw a brick at a church - who then pulls off the balaclava and says he won't conform to far-right stereotypes of Muslims. However, the activist goes on to claim that far-right groups have 'Zionist backers' - referencing those who believe in the idea of a Jewish state. He made the universally recognised symbol for 'money' by rubbing his fingers together as he said the term - seemingly referencing antisemitic tropes that Jewish people have huge sums of money and seek to control the world. Mr O'Brien later admitted that he had not watched the clip to the end and subsequently apologised. 'I referenced this clip on the show today while watching it live in the studio. I didn't watch it to the end. Obviously, the reference to 'Zionist backers' is obnoxious & anti-semitic. My apologies,' he wrote on X.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ofcom receives complaints after LBC host James O'Brien read out antisemitic message about Jewish children - as he issues apology
An LBC radio presenter has apologised for reading out a listener's message claiming Jewish children in Britain are taught to view Arabs as 'cockroaches to be crushed'. James O'Brien sparked fury for reading the antisemitic comments without challenging them while discussing the conflict in Gaza during yesterday's programme. The 53-year-old host was allegedly sent the message from someone called Chris in Oxford who said his wife had been taught at a 'Shabbat school' in Hertfordshire. The listener claimed she was also told 'one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives'. Mr O'Brien read out the message before a shortened version was shared by LBC on social media, then deleted after a furious backlash from Jewish organisations. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was a 'modern blood libel on national radio', and communications regulator Ofcom has received a number of complaints. When reading out the message yesterday, Mr O'Brien said: 'I'm fascinated by objectivity, which is why I'm going to read out this from Chris, because you do find yourself wondering how people can be looking at the same world you're looking at and arriving at such completely different conclusions. 'The polling we looked at in Ha'aretz, displaying support not just for ethnic cleansing, but also for genocide, on levels that many of us would find terrifying. 'And of course it's not confined, as Chris writes from Oxford – 'I'm loving the show' – thank you, Chris – 'and the high quality of callers today, but I do think it's worth saying that these warped views are not just an Israeli problem. ''My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. ''Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides' – as Chris points out – 'then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty, and it does indeed start young. There is a danger perhaps that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda processes'.' A shortened version of this was then shared by LBC in a social media video post, with the caption: ''At Shabbat school, my wife was taught that one Jewish life is worth a thousand Arab lives'. Listener Chris outlines to James O'Brien the 'danger' of 'propaganda processes' spreading.' What did James O'Brien say on LBC? Original broadcast yesterday 'I'm fascinated by objectivity, which is why I'm going to read out this from Chris, because you do find yourself wondering how people can be looking at the same world you're looking at and arriving at such completely different conclusions. The polling we looked at in Ha'aretz, displaying support not just for ethnic cleansing, but also for genocide, on levels that many of us would find terrifying. And of course it's not confined, as Chris writes from Oxford – 'I'm loving the show' – thank you, Chris – 'and the high quality of callers today, but I do think it's worth saying that these warped views are not just an Israeli problem. My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides' – as Chris points out – 'then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty, and it does indeed start young. There is a danger perhaps that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda processes'.' Apology today 'This is very important. At this time yesterday on the show, I read out a message from a listener called Chris who said that his wife had been brought up in the Jewish faith and had attended what he described as a 'Shabbat school'. He went on to make further claims about what he said she had been taught in that school. As with all the texts and messages that I read out on the programme, I did so in good faith, but the message has understandably upset a lot of people, and I regret taking those unsubstantiated claims at face value, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. It is very important that I get that out there, and thank you for your attention.' This post has since been deleted by LBC. But the comments sparked fury, with the Jewish Leadership Council describing the unchallenged read-out as 'irresponsible and dangerous journalism'. The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it was 'urgently seeking a meeting with senior executives' at LBC, and called on the station to take Mr O'Brien off air. And the Jewish News pointed out that 'while there is certainly a concept of 'Sunday school', or 'cheder', for Jewish children, there is no such thing as 'Shabbat school'.' The broadcast has also allegedly been reported to the Metropolitan Police - with one complaint claiming the programme spread 'lies about Jews', according to The Telegraph. Ofcom confirmed to MailOnline that it had received complaints about the content, which were now being assessed. While Mr O'Brien presented his show as normal today, he addressed the controversy at 11.48am, which was the same time he read out the message yesterday. He said: 'This is very important. At this time yesterday on the show, I read out a message from a listener called Chris who said that his wife had been brought up in the Jewish faith and had attended what he described as a 'Shabbat school'. 'He went on to make further claims about what he said she had been taught in that school. 'As with all the texts and messages that I read out on the programme, I did so in good faith, but the message has understandably upset a lot of people, and I regret taking those unsubstantiated claims at face value, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. 'It is very important that I get that out there, and thank you for your attention.' A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesman told MailOnline today: 'This was a modern blood libel on national radio, amplified by a host who likely wouldn't think twice about cutting off the statement were it promoting such grotesque falsehoods about another minority. No such generosity for the Jews. 'The suggestion that one 'side' of this conflict is the genocidal monsters of Hamas who slaughtered 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage, and the other 'side' is the Jewish community in Hertfordshire, is not only a baseless fiction and totally repugnant but to broadcast it is unbelievably reckless. 'It is practically an invitation to disaffected people to target Jews in the UK – why not, if they are a 'side' in this conflict? It is deplorable the depths that some talkshow hosts will sink to inflame their listeners and drive up ratings. The consequences are borne by British Jews. We are formally complaining to Ofcom. 'While we welcome LBC's deletion of the post and Mr O'Brien's apology, perhaps he might take a break from moralising to the nation and reflect on why a listener like that understood that his was exactly the right show to promote this bile, and why Mr O'Brien himself was only too ready to treat the claims as entirely plausible and convenient to his narrative. 'What does that say about his own prejudices and views on certain topics to which British Jews are particularly sensitive?' After yesterday's broadcast, a Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson said: 'For James O'Brien to uncritically read out this outrageous claim as the truth is irresponsible and dangerous journalism. 'At a time of heightened antisemitism when synagogues and Jewish schools require increased security, the threat created by such unsubstantiated claims is real. LBC must urgently investigate and explain how this was allowed to be read out by their presenter.' Andrew Gilbert, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, added: 'We are urgently seeking a meeting with senior executives following the completely unacceptable and highly offensive comments made by James O'Brien on his LBC show today. 'Broadcasting such a transparent falsehood and demonising the British Jewish community – at a time when antisemitism in this country is at terrifyingly high levels – must have clear consequences. LBC should apologise and take Mr O'Brien off the air.' An Ofcom spokeswoman told MailOnline today: 'We are assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.' MailOnline has also contacted LBC and the Metropolitan Police for comment.
The National
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Calls for LBC's James O'Brien to be 'taken off air'
The listener's comments came after O'Brien had criticised the mainstream UK media for focusing on Bob Vylan and Kneecap's comments at the Glastonbury Festival instead of reporting on Israel's war on Gaza. In a short clip shared to social media by LBC, O'Brien reads out the listener's message where he comments that he is doing so as he is 'fascinated by objectivity'. READ MORE: Doing the right thing for Gaza would gain the SNP more support O'Brien read the short statement from the listener Chris which said: 'I do think it's worth saying that these warped views are not just an Israeli problem. 'My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. 'Whilst young children are being taught such hatred and dehumanisation, undoubtedly on both sides' He added: 'As Chris points out – then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty, and it does indeed start young. 'There is a danger perhaps that we only ever hear one side of the dehumanisation and propaganda processes.' Following the post on social media where O'Brien reads out the listener's message, a Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson described the comments as 'a modern blood libel on national radio', Meanwhile, the Board of Deputies of British Jews have called for him to be removed by LBC. In a statement, Andrew Gilbert, vice president of the board, said that reading out the message was 'demonising' the British Jewish community during a time antisemitism is at 'terrifyingly high levels' in the UK. He wrote: 'We are urgently seeking a meeting with senior executives following the completely unacceptable and highly offensive comments made by James O'Brien on his LBC show today. 'Broadcasting such a transparent falsehood and demonising the British Jewish community, at a time when antisemitism in this country is at terrifyingly high levels, must have clear consequences. 'LBC should apologise, and take Mr O'Brien off the air.'
Telegraph
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Hamas lawyer called for ‘copycat' Palestine Action groups
A lawyer who represented Hamas called for 'copycat' direct action groups to spring up to replace the banned Palestine Action. Franck Magennis was one of three lawyers who worked on an unsuccessful application to remove Hamas from the Home Office's list of proscribed organisations. It has now emerged that Mr Magennis spoke at a conference in the days before Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist group, and called for copycat groups to pick up the mantle. Mr Magennis, a barrister at Garden Court Chambers, reposted a video of himself making the speech at the Socialist Workers' Party's Marxist Festival on the day the ban came into effect. In the video he calls for: 'Copycat direct action groups… to spring up everywhere… We mustn't let the British Empire, that is participating in this genocide, push us around. They do not have the power to stop us.' He also tells the audience Zionism is in a 'serious crisis' and encouraged supporters to 'kick it to death' He said: 'It [Zionism] is in a serious crisis; it looks like it is not long for the world, but that doesn't mean that we can be complacent. We must assure that we kick it to death. It must not be allowed to survive this crisis.' The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism has made a complaint against Mr Magennis to the Bar Standards Board alleging that is conduct diminishes public trust in him as a barrister. The group alleges that posts on his social media amount to a criminal offence, namely the support of a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. In the complaint, they say: 'We take it as axiomatic that a barrister who commits criminal offences under the Terrorism Act 2000, which are potentially punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment, is not a fit and proper person to remain a barrister. 'It follows that it is your duty as his regulator to pursue this matter vigorously and without delay'. The complaint went on: 'He is experienced in the practice of criminal law, in addition to which the very words he used both in his offending posts and in the speech he gave at the Marxist meeting, a video of which he chose to embed and republish on X, prove that he knew exactly what he was doing. He acted flagrantly.' The organisation said that alongside the video calling for copycat groups to spring up, Mr Magennis also posted other inflammatory messages. On July 5, he posted 'Escalate!' in response to fellow lawyer Fahad Ansari, who posted: 'The organisation may be banned. The action isn't. Escalate.' Mr Ansari and Mr Magennis are behind a law firm that says it is 'dedicated to understanding and confronting the racist ideology of Zionism' through 'strategic litigation'. The name of the organisation, Riverway to the Sea, is a reference to the slogan 'from the River to the Sea, Palestine shall be free', which has been interpreted by some Jewish groups as a call for the elimination of Israel. That same weekend, Mr Magennis also posted : 'They're not powerful enough to stop us. Elbit Systems UK Limited, you'd better be terrified of what's coming. We're gonna fucking destroy you. We're only getting started. Tiocfaidh ár lá [Irish for 'Our day will come'], you Zionist scum.' A spokesman for Garden Court Chambers said: 'The barrister concerned made the statements and publicised them in their individual capacity. 'Those statements do not represent the views of Garden Court Chambers, and they should not be treated as reflecting any position held by Garden Court Chambers. Furthermore, Garden Court Chambers does not endorse the language and tone used to express them. 'We take this opportunity as a chambers to make clear that we unequivocally condemn racism and anti-Semitism in all its forms.'
