Labour councillor suspended over ‘Jews drink blood and rape children’ social media post
4 min read
Labour has suspended a Bognor Regis councillor over an anti-Semitic post on social media claiming Jews drink blood and sexually abuse children.
Damien Enticott is alleged to have posted the video on his Facebook account, referring to “Talmud Jews” as “parasites” and child rapists and calling for them to be executed.
Responding to the claims, a Labour source told PoliticsHome he had been suspended pending an investigation.
But Mr Enticott denied he had posted the clip, suggesting one of his housemates may have shared it in his name.
The incident comes amid an ongoing row within the party over its decision not to fully adopt an internationally-recognised definition of anti-Semitism as part of a new code of conduct.
The alleged post by Mr Enticott emerged as a screengrab, which was shared on Twitter by former Labour councillor Adam Langleben.
It included a video titled: “Jewish ritual: They drink blood and suck baby’s dick.”
The comment above read: “This is done only by Talmud Jews. Talmud Jews are parasites!
“They also believe any child over 3years old that isn’t a Jew should be treated like a parasite, they believe it is ok to even rape that child it’s is worthless [sic].
“To treat a non Jew decently means that you are as bad as them. All Talmuds need executing!”
A Labour spokesperson said: “The Labour party take all complaints of anti-Semitism seriously and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms.
“Complaints about anti-Semitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
Mr Enticott told the Jewish Chronicle he had not shared the video but said he lived in a shared house and had taken his passwords off the computer.
He added: “The statement that was made wasn’t by myself. I don’t actually share antisemitic views at all.”
'UNWILLING TO CONFRONT'
Labour has come under fire from Jewish groups and many of its own MPs after its ruling body refused to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.
Four Shadow Cabinet members have now come out to question the decision not to accept the guidelines, along with all of the examples it provides of the problem.
MPs and Jewish groups have mounted a backlash, while veteran Labour MP Margaret Hodge confronted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and called him "an anti-Semitic racist".
She is currently facing disciplinary action by the party after Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald reported her.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell argued Dame Margaret had simply “misunderstood” the party's approach.
But Moshe Kantor - president of the European Jewish Congress - said the response by the Shadow Chancellor “further reinforces the impression that under Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour party remains unable and unwilling to confront anti-Semitism”.
'EXPANDS'
Labour says its new code "expands on and contextualises" the IHRA text, and insists it has only taken issue only with "one half of one of the IHRA's 11 examples" concerning criticism of Israel.
The party has previously said: "We understand the strong concerns raised in the Jewish community and are seeking to engage with communal organisations to build trust and confidence in our party. We know there is a huge amount of work to do."
The party has also argued that parts of the IHRA definition could be "used to deny Palestinians, including Palestinian citizens of Israel and their supporters, their rights and freedoms to describe the discrimination and injustices they face in the language they deem appropriate".
Labour MPs will hold a ballot in September on incorporating the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, along with its accompanying examples, into its standing orders. It is expected to pass comfortably.
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