Tony Greenstein declared bankrupt after ‘notorious antisemite’ legal battle

An anti-Zionist activist who lost a libel case after being labelled a ‘notorious antisemite’ has now been declared bankrupt.

Tony Greenstein had been ordered to pay Campaign Against Antisemitism more than £81,000 after he unsuccessfully sued for libel, and lost a subsequent appeal.

Judges in the original case had held that CAA were entitled to its view that he is a ‘notorious antisemite’ – and today Greenstein was declared bankrupt after failing to repay court costs.

“The bankruptcy order against Mr Greenstein will greatly reduce his capacity to litigate against others without any ability or intention to pay when he loses,” said a CAA spokesperson. 

“Today’s ruling should serve as a warning to others that we will be unrelenting in the pursuit of justice for the Jewish community.”

The campaigning group has now written to the Charity Commission to raise Greenstein’s bankruptcy order, saying it could affect his status as a charity trustee.

The bankruptcy order, made by Judge Catherine Burton, comes after Greenstein lost an appeal at the High Court over his unsuccessful defamation claim, which was thrown out by judges because they held CAA was allowed to make reference to Greenstein’s spent convictions.

Jewish News has previously reported how an ex-Labour councillor, Josh Jones, was forced to use £20,000 of his life savings to defend himself against a libel suit brought by Greenstein.

The activist had alleged Jones had called him a Holocaust denier, a claim which was struck out because it had no reasonable chance of success.