Man pleads guilty to 'target local Synagogues and Jewish businesses' Facebook post

Michael Brown called for people to throw 'stinkbombs', 'overripe fruit' and 'eggs' and asked 'does anyone have a good recipe for roasted Synagogue'

A man who posted on social media about targeting Synagogues and Jewish businesses with overripe fruit and stink bombs has pleaded guilty to sending by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing message, despite saying in a police interview that his comments were “a joke”.

Michael Brown, 45, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, with regards to his Facebook post on February 28, the day Israel and America launched their attack on the Iranian regime. In response to an announcement by the Brighton and Hove branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling for an “emergency protest” to “stop Trump’s wars”, Brown responded by saying “It’s about time to target local synagogues and Jewish businesses with overripe fruit and stink bombs.

“Let’s all buy a pack of 6 eggs and pelt the local synagogues. Then we can throw bags of flour. And before you know it we can make Jewish Muffins.

“Jews have a right to defend themselves using the Bible as a navigation tool. Watch out these guys eat Pretzels which is just weird.

“What does everyone like to drink with their Jewish Muffins?

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“And does anyone has good recipe for roasted Synagogue.”

Brown was arrested by local police a few days later, with Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh of Sussex police saying at the time that ““We acknowledge the deep distress and concern that can be caused by threatening, hateful and antisemitic messages to members of the Jewish community, and the wider public,” he said.

“Threats of any kind are completely unacceptable, and anyone who seeks to target individuals within communities of any faith group can expect a robust response.

“A man is in custody, and we urge people not to speculate to allow our full and thorough investigation to take place.”

As reported by The Argus, the prosecutor, Emily Thornton, asked for Brown to be given a tougher sentence for a race hate crime, with the Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring telling the guilty party that “I can’t rule out it will be a custodial sentence, it may well be.”

Adam Ma’anit. chair of Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue, said:

“Jewish history has taught us to distrust the comforting distance wider society imagines between the flint of antisemitic incitement and the tinder of its own timidity in confronting it.

“This man called for Jewish businesses and places of worship to be targeted and invoked the grotesque image of ‘roasted synagogues’. He was not alone in voicing such incendiary antisemitism. Weeks later, Hatzola ambulances were torched and a wave of arson attacks on Jewish buildings followed. At our own synagogue, we took extra precautions, working with our exceptional local fire service, Sussex Police and CST to prepare for the worst. This is the grim reality we face.

“This arrest, prosecution and guilty plea send an essential message: those who threaten Jews must face consequences.”

Brown has been set free on unconditional bail until the next hearing, with sentencing due to take place on 1 September.