Latest news with #HeidiBachram
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
Stop posting about Gaza, police tell woman with Jewish family
A woman subjected to anti-Semitic abuse on social media says she was advised by police to stop posting on controversial subjects such as Gaza. Heidi Bachram, who had Jewish family members murdered and taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7 attacks, was the subject of attacks by another user on X. The account was eventually suspended for violating X's rules with the posts, which contained anti-Semitic comments and cartoons showing stereotypically Jewish figures. But Ms Bachram, from Brighton, said that instead of investigating who was responsible for the abuse, Sussex Police suggested she stop posting about 'controversial subjects' such as Gaza. Ms Bachram has been prominent in raising the plight of hostages still held by Hamas. On Oct 7, Tsachi, the cousin of Ms Bachram's husband, and his wife and two children were held at gunpoint on the floor of their home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Mayan, Tsachi's 18-year-old daughter, was murdered and Tsachi taken hostage. His family received confirmation in February that he had been killed in captivity. Cruel jibes about Oct 7 victims An account operated under the name NJimmytree is accused of bombarding Ms Bachram with abuse, calling her a 'scumbag', 'ugly Zionist' and 'ugly faced pig'. One message stated: 'You have a face only a genocidal Zionist pig could like. Your brother-in-law should thank Hamas, because of them he never has to see your monstrosity of a face again.' Another of NJimmytree's posts showed a photograph of Mia Chem, a young woman kidnapped by Hamas at the Nova festival, with the jibe 'check out the beak on this one'. One particularly offensive post in November last year showed two images of a young woman's profile and the comment: 'Imagine getting a nose job because your captors made you feel ugly because they didn't want to rape her.' The material posted also included stereotypical cartoons of Jewish men with large noses rubbing their hands, together with the comment: 'Why do you all look like this?' Ms Bachram told The Telegraph: 'The constant abuse was scary. He seemed obsessed with posting my face and being nasty about my appearance. It just felt relentless. When he posted about my husband's murdered relative, I felt sick. We are still in shock from Tsachi's death and it's a very painful time. 'I couldn't believe someone would be so deliberately cruel.' But Ms Bachram says police were reluctant to investigate the abuse. Instead, she says, she was told by a sergeant that what she tweets is 'politically sensitive' and asked: 'Why don't you stop posting about it?' She added: 'He said I was making myself a target. I feel like I've been victimised twice. Once by this cruel troll and secondly by the police. It was classic 'blame the victim' stuff.' Ms Bachram said the Sussex force's attitude to anti-Semitic posts appeared inconsistent. Just two weeks before she reported the NJimmytree posts, an officer contacted her in order to alert her to an anti-Semitic message posted by a far-Right troll. In response to a photograph shared by Ms Bachram of a memorial to Gaza hostages erected in Brighton which had been smeared with faeces, a user called NoticeBanned wrote on X on June 23: 'None of these people died in Brighton. F--- off Jew.' Sussex Police invited Ms Bachram to make a complaint about this abusive post, which she did, and officers are understood to have asked X to provide the ID of the NoticeBanned account, which has a history of anti-Semitic and racist abuse. Force is reviewing complaint Alex Hearn, of Labour Against Antisemitism, said: 'The inconsistency in policing these cases beggars belief. How can they be so proactive in one case and dismissive of another?' A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'We are aware of concerns which have been raised by Ms Bachram, and we can confirm that we have received a formal complaint. 'Officers will review this complaint, and we are unable to comment further at this time. 'Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county. 'We urge anyone impacted by hate crime to report it to Sussex Police, and remain committed to ensuring any reported offences are fully investigated in line with relevant legislation and taking all factors into account.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
10-08-2025
- Telegraph
Stop posting about Gaza, police tell abused Jewish woman
A Jewish woman subjected to anti-Semitic abuse on social media says she was advised by police to stop posting on controversial subjects such as Gaza. Heidi Bachram, who had family members murdered and taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7 attacks, was the subject of attacks by another user on X. The account was eventually suspended for violating X's rules with the posts, which contained anti-Semitic comments and cartoons showing stereotypically Jewish figures. But Ms Bachram, from Brighton, said that instead of investigating who was responsible for the abuse, Sussex Police suggested she stop posting about 'controversial subjects' such as Gaza. Ms Bachram has been prominent in raising the plight of hostages still held by Hamas. On Oct 7, Tsachi, the cousin of Ms Bachram's husband, and his wife and two children were held at gunpoint on the floor of their home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Mayan, Tsachi's 18-year-old daughter, was murdered and Tsachi taken hostage. His family received confirmation in February that he had been killed in captivity. Cruel jibes about Oct 7 victims An account operated under the name NJimmytree is accused of bombarding Ms Bachram with abuse, calling her a 'scumbag', 'ugly Zionist' and 'ugly faced pig'. One message stated: 'You have a face only a genocidal Zionist pig could like. Your brother-in-law should thank Hamas, because of them he never has to see your monstrosity of a face again.' Another of NJimmytree's posts showed a photograph of Mia Chem, a young woman kidnapped by Hamas at the Nova festival, with the jibe 'check out the beak on this one'. One particularly offensive post in November last year showed two images of a young woman's profile and the comment: 'Imagine getting a nose job because your captors made you feel ugly because they didn't want to rape her.' The material posted also included stereotypical cartoons of Jewish men with large noses rubbing their hands, together with the comment: 'Why do you all look like this?' Ms Bachram told The Telegraph: 'The constant abuse was scary. He seemed obsessed with posting my face and being nasty about my appearance. It just felt relentless. When he posted about my husband's murdered relative, I felt sick. We are still in shock from Tsachi's death and it's a very painful time. 'I couldn't believe someone would be so deliberately cruel.' But Ms Bachram says police were reluctant to investigate the abuse. Instead, she says, she was told by a sergeant that what she tweets is 'politically sensitive' and asked: 'Why don't you stop posting about it?' She added: 'He said I was making myself a target. I feel like I've been victimised twice. Once by this cruel troll and secondly by the police. It was classic 'blame the victim' stuff.' Ms Bachram said the Sussex force's attitude to anti-Semitic posts appeared inconsistent. Just two weeks before she reported the NJimmytree posts, an officer contacted her in order to alert her to an anti-Semitic message posted by a far-Right troll. In response to a photograph shared by Ms Bachram of a memorial to Gaza hostages erected in Brighton which had been smeared with faeces, a user called NoticeBanned wrote on X on June 23: 'None of these people died in Brighton. F--- off Jew.' Sussex Police invited Ms Bachram to make a complaint about this abusive post, which she did, and officers are understood to have asked X to provide the ID of the NoticeBanned account, which has a history of anti-Semitic and racist abuse. Force is reviewing complaint Alex Hearn, of Labour Against Antisemitism, said: 'The inconsistency in policing these cases beggars belief. How can they be so proactive in one case and dismissive of another?' A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'We are aware of concerns which have been raised by Ms Bachram, and we can confirm that we have received a formal complaint. 'Officers will review this complaint, and we are unable to comment further at this time. 'Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county. 'We urge anyone impacted by hate crime to report it to Sussex Police, and remain committed to ensuring any reported offences are fully investigated in line with relevant legislation and taking all factors into account.'
Daily Mail
10-08-2025
- Daily Mail
'Double standards': Police tell anti-Semitic abuse victim 'to just stop posting' online
An antisemitism advocate abused online and called an 'ugly Zionist' has accused the police of double standards and victim blaming after officers said she had made herself 'a target' by posting about Gaza. Heidi Bachram, from Brighton, East Sussex, was bombarded with offensive terms, including 'scumbag' and 'genocidal Zionist pig' from an X account that has since been suspended. She claimed that Sussex Police seemed reluctant to investigate who was behind the racist posts and advised her to simply stop posting about 'politically sensitive subjects'. But Ms Bachram said this was in stark contrast to a recent post written by a far-Right troll - that the force had proactively alerted her to and asked her to report. She was contacted by police after she shared an image of a hostage memorial in Brighton that had been smeared with faeces. One user wrote: 'None of these people died in Brighton. F*** off, Jew'. Over the last two years, Ms Bachram has established herself on X as a voice against antisemitism with more than 42,000 followers. She was spurred on to grow her online presence after close relatives of her Israeli-Jewish husband were murdered and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Antisemitism advocate Heidi Bachram has accused the police of double standards and victim blaming after officers said she had made herself 'a target' by posting about Gaza Ms Bachram was especially distressed by posts referencing the Hamas hostages, because of her family connection. Tsachi Idan - the first cousin of Heidi's husband, Adam Ma'anit - and his daughter Mayan, 18, were both murdered by Hamas terrorists She was contacted by police after she shared this image of a hostage memorial in Brighton that had been smeared with faeces - and a far-Right troll made a racist comment In the latest case of abuse, Ms Bachram said she was trolled by another account and the antisemitism was 'relentless'. The troll created offensive posts referencing stereotypes about Jewish men and women with large noses. Another showed a photograph of released hostage Mia Shem, who was kidnapped at the Nova festival, accompanied by the caption: 'Check out the beak on this one.' Ms Bachram was especially distressed by posts referencing the Hamas hostages, because of her family connection. Tsachi Idan - the first cousin of Heidi's husband, Adam Ma'anit - alongside his wife and two children were held at gunpoint at their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Tsachi's daughter Mayan, 18, was murdered, while he was taken hostage into Gaza. In February, Tsachi's remains were among the four bodies of Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas. When Ms Bachram reported the abuse to a police officer she claimed that she was met by some resistance. She told The Telegraph: 'He said I was making myself a target.' Ms Bachram added that she believes the police had shown double standards in their treatment of the two offenders. She added: 'I feel like I've been victimised twice. Once by this cruel troll and secondly by the police.' Sussex Police said it was aware of concerns raised by Ms Bachram and confirmed the force had received a formal complaint.
BreakingNews.ie
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Comedian Reginald D Hunter appears in court over social media posts
Comedian Reginald D Hunter has appeared in court over alleged antisemitic social media posts. The 56-year-old US stand-up is accused of three counts of sending an offensive communication on three different occasions – on August 24, September 10 and September 11 last year – to Heidi Bachram on X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement He spoke to confirm his personal details when he appeared at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for the private prosecution, which is being brought by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) charity. It is alleged Hunter sent a computer-generated sexual image to Ms Bachram in August last year, with the charges claiming it was 'grossly offensive'. Comedian Reginald D Hunter at Westminster Magistrates' Court (Lucy North/PA) No indication of plea was given and Hunter was bailed to return for a hearing at the same court on November 14. Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told him: 'There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed and that will take place on November 14.' Advertisement The judge told Hunter to attend that hearing as he will learn if the case goes ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea. Hunter, whose address was given as care of Kalber Struckley solicitors, was released on unconditional bail. Hunter regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. In an Instagram post published last week, Hunter said the CAA is 'dragging me to court for jokes online'. Advertisement Hunter also declared he is 'fighting a private prosecution for my comedy' in a crowdfunding appeal launched to help cover legal fees. A total of £19,836 towards a £50,000 target had been pledged by the time he made his first appearance in court on Monday. The crowdfunder, aimed at raising money towards specialist counsel and any appeals procedures and court fees, states: 'Born in Georgia in 1969, Reginald has been a force in UK comedy since 1992. 'Known for his biting social commentary, he has appeared on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and was Perrier-nominated at Edinburgh Festival. Advertisement 'Reginald challenges audiences on racism, politics, and religion. He is staunchly anti-War and has publicly criticised Israel in the past.' The CAA describes itself as an organisation of volunteers which works to 'expose and counter antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law'. Stephen Silverman, the group's director of investigations and enforcement, previously said: 'This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course.'
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Reginald D Hunter appears in court over alleged antisemitic posts
Comedian Reginald D Hunter has appeared in court over alleged antisemitic social media US stand-up comic, 56, is accused of three counts of sending an offensive communication on three different occasions to Heidi Bachram on X, formerly Twitter, on 24 August, and 10 and 11 September last Hunter spoke to confirm his personal details when he appeared at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for the private prosecution, which is being brought by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) was bailed to return for a hearing at the same court on 14 November, where he will learn if the case will go ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea. Crowdfunding appeal It is alleged the comedian sent a computer-generated sexual image to Ms Bachram in August last year, with the charges claiming it was "grossly offensive".Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told him: "There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed and that will take place on November 14."Mr Hunter, whose address was given as care of Kalber Struckley solicitors, was released on unconditional comedian regularly performs shows across the UK and has also appeared on many well-known panel shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 has posted on social media that he is "fighting a private prosecution for my comedy" in a crowdfunding appeal launched to help cover legal fees.A total of £19,836 towards a £50,000 target had been pledged by the time he made his first appearance in court on CAA describes itself as an organisation of volunteers which works to "expose and counter antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law".Stephen Silverman, the group's director of investigations and enforcement, previously said: "This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course." Private prosecutions are cases brought to criminal courts without the involvement of the police or CPS.
