West Ham condemns video of fans’ antisemitic chant at Jewish man
Club says it's 'appalled' by a clip circulating on social media and commits to ban anyone identified as taking part in the chant
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
West Ham United has condemned alleged antisemitic chanting by its supporters directed at an Orthodox Jewish man on a plane.
The incident took place on a flight to Belgium, where fans were travelling to watch the London club play Genk in the Europa League.
In a clip posted on social media by Away Day Bible, supporters of the club can be heard singing about arch-rivals Tottenham, referencing genitalia and circumcision, as an Orthodox Jewish man walks down the gangway of the Ryanair flight. The clip has now been removed by Away Day Bible.
Tottenham has a historic following from the Jewish community, which has led to antisemitic chants from opposition fans in the past.
West Ham United spokesperson said: “West Ham United is appalled by the contents of the video circulating on social media and condemn the behaviour of the individuals involved. The Club is liaising with the airline and relevant authorities to identify the individuals.
“We continue to be unequivocal in our stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Any individuals identified will be issued with an indefinite ban from the Club”.
Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl condemned the chanting, saying: “This is a particularly horrible example of a Jewish man being subjected to abuse and humiliation. Thankfully, the culprits have been captured on social media. West Ham have set exactly the right example – hate will only be tackled in our society when we all take responsibility, as West Ham have done in promising to impose lifetime bans. We also call on the police to investigate this clear instance of inciting racial hatred.”
Lord John Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, posted on Twitter, saying it was “one for met [police] and West Ham to prosecute. And for me and others to make sure they do.”
Ryanair has been approached for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
