Guardian apology over Gaza photo for UK antisemitism story

The Guardian has apologised for illustrating an article on the rise in antisemitism in the UK with a photo of Palestinians protesting along the Gaza border.

The piece, written by the newspaper’s religion correspondent Harriet Sherwood, details the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST).

According to the CST, the number of antisemitic incidents in 2018 rocketed to 1,652, which is the highest ever for the third year running.

The since-deleted photo, which showed violence along the border, was replaced this morning by a photo of graffiti saying ‘Israhell’ next to a swastika on a wall in Victoria in London.

A Guardian News and Media spokesperson said in a statement to Jewish News: “We apologise for the original photo on the story which should not have been used, and has now been replaced.”

Adam Wagner, a human rights barrister, tweeted: “Er, the report isn’t about Gaza, it’s about antisemitism in the UK.

“I realise the antisemites think the UK Jews deserve it coz Israel but still…”

A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: “The Guardian was right to replace a photo showing disturbances on the Gaza border from an article about antisemitism in the UK.

“Using that photo in the first place provides a disturbing insight into the newspaper’s attitudes about antisemitism, Jews and Israel.”

Mark Gardner Director of Communications at CST said: “We are glad that the picture was changed, because this is about Britain not Israel and it is time that was understood”.

Read more:

• Antisemitism hits record high for third year in succession
• OPINION – Dave Rich – CST: How politics and social media is being polluted