Deputy Green leader sorry for tweeting cartoon of Grim Reaper with Star of David
Amelia Womack apologises for sharing cartoon which depicted the fictional figure cloaked in the US flag and carrying a scythe with a Jewish symbol
The Deputy Leader of the Green Party Amelia Womack has apologised for sharing an antisemitic cartoon of the Grim Reaper with a Star of David on social media yesterday.
The cartoon, which appeared to blame Jews for violence in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Ukraine, depicted the Grim Reaper carrying a scythe with a Star of David on it, knocking at a door labelled ‘Venezuela’.
The figure, cloaked in the American flag, appeared to have opened doors labelled Iraq, Libya, Syria and Ukraine with pools of blood streaming out.
Ms Womack tweeted the antisemitic cartoon at around 10.10pm yesterday, with the caption: “When a picture paints a thousand words”.
The Deputy Leader of the Green Party, who has served in her role since 2014, since deleted the tweet and apologised, saying: “Yesterday I tweeted a picture which, in my ignorance, I thought was satirising US imperialism.
“It wasn’t, it was in fact antisemitic and I apologise wholeheartedly for tweeting it. I abhor antisemitism in all forms. There is no excuse for what I did and I’m truly sorry.
A Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson said: “We accept Amelia Womack’s apology which made no excuses for her actions.
“This should serve as a lesson to all on the nature of contemporary antisemitism from the left and how can be disguised in the themes of anti-americanism, anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism.
“Those in positions of power should give serious thought to how and why this is spread like poison throughout parts of their movement”
The Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “This is a nasty conspiratorial image from someone senior enough in politics to know better. Amelia Womack was correct to apologise.
“We expect her to be more careful in future.”
When approached for comment, a Green Party Spokesperson confirmed no disciplinary action would be taken against Womack.
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