Jewish community 'hurt' over mayor's antisemitic posts

Members of the Jewish community say they feel "hurt and concerned" after a city mayor reposted antisemitic conspiracies on social media.

Dr Bharat Pankhania, Mayor of Bath, shared posts on X that incorrectly claimed an arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in London on 23 March was insurance fraud and an "Israeli false flag operation".

The Liberal Democrats announced his suspension from the party three days later, saying they reject antisemitism and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

Evan Rudowski, a member of the Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, based in Bath, said the harmful rhetoric from a trusted figure of authority was "shocking".

The councillor for Combe Down deleted the posts and apologised "profusely" for his actions.

Pankhania said he had "made a mistake" and "was not even thinking" when he reposted the messages on X. His profile has since been set to private.

He added that his intention had been to share what had been said, rather than to suggest he agreed with it.

But Rudowski branded the apology as "insincere".

"It really played into the most ugly, age-old antisemitic tropes about Jewish behaviour," the 61-year-old said.

"We are in a fraught moment where there's some really hostile people out there.

"The timing from someone in a ceremonial role like his - where he is meant to be bringing the community together and representing our best values – he certainly fell far short of that standard."

Iris Segall, who lives near Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, is a faith leader who visits schools and also hosts synagogue visits to share Judaism with the wider community.

Originally from Israel, she has lived in the UK for more than 27 years but said this is the first time she has encountered "bold" antisemitism like this.

"Even if he [Pankhania] deleted the posts and apologised afterwards, what people saw cannot be unseen," the 65-year-old said.

"For him, they were just words. But people might take action over those words.

"It's not just the hurt caused to me as a Jewish person, but it's also the fact that it might cause violence down the line."

Segall said "spreading rumours" about Jewish people amid the current political climate, especially from a trusted position of authority, was "very concerning".

She also urged people to separate what the Israeli government are doing from "what Jewish people around the world and in Israel are thinking".

"Not everybody has the same points of view. Not all British people agree with the government at any one point," she added.

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