Labour councillors probed over ‘Zionist conspiracy’ posts
Zafar Iqbal and Basharat Dad will be investigated for sharing the material, including a video by white supremacist David Duke
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Social media posts apparently from two Labour councillors, including a link to a David Duke video alleging Zionist control of politics and the media, have been referred to the party’s compliance unit.
Zafar Iqbal, who is an MBE and represents the South Yardley ward in Birmingham, posted a link to a video entitled, “CNN Goldman Sachs and the Zio Matrix” the day after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in 2014.
Its description clearly states: “This video reveals how the Zionist Matrix of Power controls media, politics and banking.”
Fellow Birmigham councillor, Basharat Dad, is also alleged to have posted a link to a trailer for an independent film ‘The Zionist Story’. It says the film is “the story of ethnic cleaning, colonialism and apartheid”.
Labour confirmed to Jewish News that the posts have been referred to the compliance unit.
A Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson said: “We are pleased this is now being investigated by the party. In line with the Chakrabarti recommendations we expect a swift and thorough investigation.”
Jeremy Corbyn strongly condemned the use of the epithet ‘Zio’ during the launch of his party’s inquiry into anti-Semitism earlier this year.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
