Mayor of Bath resigns over sharing posts claiming Hatzola arson was ‘Israeli false flag’
Liberal Democrat councillor Dr Bharat Pankhania resigned from his party after being suspended for sharing the content, which also alleged the firebombing was insurance fraud
The Mayor of Bath has resigned after he was found to have reposted social media content claiming the 23 March arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green was an “Israeli false flag operation”.
Dr Bharat Pankhania, who also works as a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, later deleted the posts and apologised “unreservedly” in a statement on Twitter/X, where he said, “I have been made aware that I have reposted or replied to some posts which have never aligned to my values and beliefs, and which are abhorrent.”
The Liberal Democrat councillor, suspended from his party amidst calls for a full investigation, later resigned.
He also reposted content which said: “People are now asking why do the Jewish community have their own private ambulances in the UK?” as well as another post claiming the attack was an example of insurance fraud.
After the firebombing two men – aged 47 and 45 and of British nationality, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and later released on police bail.
Dr Pankhania’s social media profile includes recent and repeated posts suggesting the US was “forced into a war by Israel and their powerful lobby in the USA”.
A Bath and North East Somerset councillor since 2019, Pankhania qualified from the Welsh Nation Schools of Medicine in Cardiff, trained as a GP in 1989 and now specialises in disease control.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
