Board apologises for deleted tweet labelling journalist an ‘a**hole’

The Board of Deputies has apologised after a message on its official Twitter account described journalist Rachel Shabi as an “a**hole”.

The tweet, quickly deleted from the organisation’s account, followed Shabi’s comments on Holocaust education.

The Israeli-born journalist had responded to an article written by Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, in the Times, amid the growing row over a tweet by Gary Lineker who had criticised the government’s immigration policy.

In the article Pollock wrote: “However passionately we feel about important and pressing issues of the day, comparing those current concerns with the unimaginable horrors of the Nazi period is wrong.”

But Shabi disagreed, tweeting: “A key tenet of Holocaust education is never again, for anyone. The Holocaust is unique, but ‘never again’ is universal. Drawing out similarities and parallels is critical and part of the education.”

A tweet then appeared on the Board’s official page saying:”“Rachel Shabi telling the head of the Holocaust Educational Trust that she’s plainly wrong about er, the Holocaust, is the definition of chutzpah. The shamelessness of this a**hole.”

After Shabi shared the tweet, and demanded an explanation, the Board wrote: “Late last night there was a tweet issued in error from the Board of Deputies’ Twitter account directed to @rachshabi.

“This tweet used inappropriate language, for which we unreservedly apologise.

“The tweet was immediately removed. We have also reached out privately to apologise.”

Shabi  tweeted: “Thanks for the apology, though the problem isn’t just the language but the substance of the post. I’m concerned that the person intending to post this on their personal account is responsible for your Twitter account. Can you take action?”

The journalist, born to Iraqi Jewish parents in Ramat Gan, has lived most of her life in the UK.

She has written for the Guardian and New York Times, and repeatedly defended Jeremy Corbyn.