Man behind notorious ‘anti-Zionist’ Twitter account alleged to have punched seagull to death
Jonathan 'Jonny' Roberts, whose "JonnyUtd" account has referred to ''Zionist Jews' as 'parasites', accused of killing bird in front of horrified onlookers
A man alleged to have punched a seagull to death in front of horrified holidaymakers in Cornwall is understood to run one of the UK’s most notorious “anti-Zionist” accounts, in which he has referred to “Zionist Jews” as “parasites” who “need to be isolated in all walks of life in our society”.
As reported by the Daily Mail, tourists in St Ives, Cornwall, witnessed a man react to a seagull attempting to snatch a Cornish pasty out of his hand. One woman described how he grabbed the seagull “and punched it hard in the chest. It was sort of held in his arm so it couldn’t escape.
“After three or four punches the bird went limp then he threw it to the ground where it just lay there, it was still alive but its chest cavity was caved in and I think it just went off to die.
“I went over and berated him as did some other people, I said “you can’t do that, its illegal” and his wife said the same, I think she was shocked, I asked if he’d do the same to a child who stole an ice cream but he just called me a cow and told me to f*** off.”
The Mail reported that the individual was quickly identified online as “pro-Palestine advocate Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Roberts from Bradford, Yorkshire”.
The online Jewish investigator collective known as “Gnasher Jew” has previously identified Roberts as the individual behind an account calling itself “JonnyUtd”, with the Twitter handle “@fx1Jonny”.
In one notorious tweet, the account said: “Zionist Jews:
“Make them feel very uncomfortable.
“They should be petrified of security checks.
“Don’t let them near your kids
“They shouldn’t be allowed to teach in schools.
“If you are a restaurant owner don’t allow them in.
“We don’t want their business Don’t hire them.
“These parasites need to be isolated in all walks of life in our society
“There’s probably more but that’s a good start!
“F*** these w******!”
The account, which has also described Zionism as “which is a cancer needs cutting out of humanity” has posted messages supporting both Hamas and Hezbollah. In June 2024, in response to an Israeli describing how he had needed to run for shelter with his wife after Hezbollah fired rockets, the “JonnyUtd” account responded, “Hope Hezbollah are successful”. In another tweet, the account wrote: “Hezbollah is resistance. Khamas is resistance. Israel are terrorists. If you don’t agree your [sic] probably a terrorist too!”
Other tweets from the account include a picture of a man holding poster which reads “On October 7th Israel killed its own people and covered it up to justify a genocide”. The “JonnyUtd” account posted the picture, along with the caption “Oh wait he’s speaking the truth. I guess that means he’s ‘antisemitic’”, along with an eye-rolling emoji. The “JonnyUtd” account subsequently shared another picture of the man holding the poster, along with the caption “See how easy it is to tell the truth? Only human beings can relate…”
On 8 June the “JonnyUtd” account posted a picture of himself which read “On the sea front in Penzance enjoying an iced coffee absolutely loving life in the gorgeous sunshine. Just appreciating time away with my family.” In the picture, Roberts was wearing the same jumper and cap in which the man identified in pictures from the St Ives incident was wearing, as well as the same beard and ear stud.
As reported by the Mail, one onlooker described how “This man grabbed a seagull out the air and punched it to death then booted it.
“Happened in a busy street by the harbour in front of about 30 people including children.
“My two-year-old is scarred. Absolutely disgusting to see.”
Herring gulls are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, offenders can face unlimited fines and up to six months in prison.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for witnesses and footage following a report of a seagull being attacked in St Ives.
“Devon & Cornwall Police received a third hand report about the incident which is said to have taken place on the seafront on the afternoon of Wednesday 10 June.
“Social media posts stated that a man punched and beat a seagull.
“Despite posts being widely shared online, the matter was not reported to us by anyone present at the scene.”
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