Sky News presenter blames ‘Jew hate’ in the UK on Israel
Middle East correspondent Mark Stone apologises after his tweet citing the actions of the Israeli government sparks fury
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Sky News presenter Mark Stone has sparked fury after suggesting “Jew hatred” in the UK can be linked to the “consequence of the current Israeli government’s policies” and an “untenable occupation.”
Stone was responding to a tweet that had suggested there was a connection between alleged unbalanced media coverage in the UK of the conflict in the Middle East and threats to Jewish life here.
He tweeted on Tuesday: “It’s interesting that so many *Israelis* tell me that the ‘Jew hatred’ you experience is actually the consequence of the current Israeli government’s policies; their prolongation of an untenable occupation.”
Sky’s Middle East correspondent had become embroiled in an exchange on Twitter with a user named Walter Merrick.
Merrick had claimed in a tweet “that we constantly see unbalanced reporting not just Sky but also BBC, ITV and Channel 4.”
He continued: “This is resulting in such Jew hatred in the UK. My children have to hide who they are I’m not sure they have a future in this country it’s got that bad.”
Stone responded initially by writing: “I am so sorry your children have to hide. Unacceptable.”
But he then caused uproar with his suggestion that any rise in antisemitism in the UK was linked to the actions of Israel’s government.
“You just defined yourself as an apologist for antisemitism. Hope you enjoy the consequences,” a tweeter named Citrinitas fumed.
Stone later attempted to apologise for his remarks.
He wrote: “I was pointing out that some Israelis I have spoken to do feel the actions of their government is damaging the image of the State of Israel and fuelling anti-Jewish sentiment.”
Stone added: “I am sorry.”
Stone was in Israel and Gaza during last month’s 11 day long conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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