Lib Dems suspend councillor over ‘Israel lobby’ and ‘paymasters’ posts
Fresh scrutiny follows earlier controversy over Sam Ammar's remarks, condemned as antisemitic tropes
A Liberal Democrat councillor has been suspended by the party pending an investigation after fresh scrutiny over her social media activity reignited controversy surrounding earlier comments about the “Israel lobby” and political “paymasters”.
Councillor Sam Ammar, who represents Bromsgrove Central in Worcestershire, was reported by Jewish News in January over a Facebook post in which she claimed the Labour Party was “influenced by the Israel lobby” and referred to MPs acting on behalf of unnamed “paymasters”.
The comments prompted criticism from the Jewish Labour Movement, which said the language echoed antisemitic tropes about Jewish influence and financial control.
Ella Rose-Jacobs, national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, said at the time: “This is a textbook example of antisemitic tropes to accuse Jewish people and Israel of controlling politics and the Labour Party through power and money.
“We call on Sir Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats to do the right thing and take action.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson initially told Jewish News the party had spoken to Ammar and that the original post had been removed.
Following the publication of the article, Ammar disputed the interpretation of her comments and then publicly criticised Jewish News’ coverage on social media, accusing the paper of having “defamed” her and describing our coverage as “anti-Palestinian.”
Fresh scrutiny has now emerged over a series of additional public posts and comments made by Ammar relating to Israel and pro-Palestinian activism, many of which now appear to have been deleted.
In one exchange highlighted online this week, Ammar referred to Israelis as “immigrant Europeans”.
Other posts included comments about Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters visiting Birmingham. Responding to a discussion about the club’s fans travelling to the city, Ammar wrote: “I’m happy for the fans to come to Birmingham as long as you put your own children on the public transport during their stay. We, the parents, don’t want our children hurt.”
She added: “Stop defending the criminals just because they are Israeli and think of the British children – shameful.”
Ammar also commented on the recent conviction of the head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign after judges ruled he had breached police protest restrictions during a demonstration in central London.
In one exchange on X, she wrote: “I don’t think it’s acceptable to become a dictatorship to protect a genocide state is ok.”
In another post, she added: “Thanks for clarifying all the new laws the UK has to protect Israel.”
Through her lawyer, Ammar told Jewish News her Facebook post did not invoke antisemitic tropes. A statement said: “As is clear from the context of the post, the two phrases address separate political criticisms and should not be read together; any reference to ‘paymasters’ was not intended to denote Jewish people, and our client has criticised politicians for receiving funding from pressure groups attached to many causes. She is committed to fairness, equality, and non-discrimination, and has consistently sought to support and represent people of all backgrounds. Any suggestion to the contrary is categorically denied.”
The Liberal Democrats have now confirmed disciplinary action has been taken ahead of local elections taking place across England this week.
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson told Jewish News: “Sam Ammar has been suspended pending an ongoing investigation.”
The Jewish Labour Movement has been contacted for further comment.
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