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Momentum attacked by its own supporters for making video about how David Icke promotes antisemitism
The pro-Jeremy Corbyn group is accused of being 'infiltrated by Zionists'
November 26, 2018 16:50
The pro-Jeremy Corbyn group is accused of being 'infiltrated by Zionists'
November 26, 2018 16:50Pro-Jeremy Corbyn campaign group Momentum has been attacked by its own supporters for publishing a video calling out how conspiracy theorist David Icke promotes antisemitism.
In a video published on its social media pages on Saturday, titled “Stop Using Lizards as a Cover for Antisemitism”, Momentum described how Mr Icke “calls the global conspiracy ‘Rothschild-Zionism, a secret society putting its agents in places of power’ – and then lists Jews allegedly part of the plot.".
“Icke claims he isn’t an antisemite because the Jews are really reptiles," the video says. "But this is clearly the same antisemitic conspiracy theory about Jews controlling the world promoted by the Russian Tsars, Adolf Hitler and the far right today.”
Stop using lizards as a cover for antisemitism 🦎🦎🦎#DavidIcke #NoPasaran pic.twitter.com/4Wqtm2WODr
It is the second video Momentum has produced in recent weeks on antisemitism, in what some have seen as attempts by the group to reach out to the Jewish community alienated by the rise of anti-Israel, far-left politics within Labour under Mr Corbyn's leadership.
It came after Momentum members picketed Mr Icke's talk in Watford on Friday, along side members of the Jewish Labour Movement.
But Momentum’s video, which has been viewed 200,000 times on Twitter and 80,000 times on Facebook, led to scores of angry comments from its supporters, some of whom wrote antisemitic messages.
“NO NO NO, I do not support Momentum by membership and subscription to see campaigns like this,” ran one comment.
“Momentum seems to be attempting suicide as far as being a socialist organisation is concerned,” another commenter said.
“They have been infiltrated by LFI and JLM Zionists who support a racist apartheid state called Israel.”
“Momentum have lost me,” said another. “A new left organisation is needed that owned by everyone is needed now, but still with Jeremy [Corbyn].”
Another person said the video had made them "start to question my membership of Momentum" and someone else said: "If Momentum carry on down this path, it will be snatched.
"They are losing people's respect and support with their increasingly irrational posts regarding David Icke."
“Always wondered why despite all you do and my strong Labour support I couldn't find it in me to join Momentum, now I know,” said another.
Others focused on Jon Lansman, Momentum's Jewish founder.
The administrators of the “Jeremy Corbyn: True Socialism” Facebook group discussed the video, with one of the administrators saying that “Lansman, the Zionist, has always placed Israel at the top of his agenda.”
Here's what they're saying on FB group "Jeremy Corbyn - True Socialism" in response to Momentum's excellent video (and protest) about David Icke's antisemitism and promotion of Holocaust denial. https://t.co/Ws7DUlAoLL
— Marlon Solomon (@supergutman) November 24, 2018
SPOILER: It hasn't gone down well. 1/ pic.twitter.com/bbbwxc6cvs
The same administrator wrote of Mr Icke’s questioning of the Holocaust: “I think a growing number of people are questioning the numbers of Jews that were murdered. I see nothing wrong with scholarly objective research. This isn’t denial.”
Mr Icke himself tweeted on Sunday: “Zionist Lansman’s Corbyn-owning ‘Momentum’ wants to silence David Icke – yet another enemy of free speech.”
A number of Jewish people also responded to the Momentum video.
"Well done Momentum", one comment read. "Hopefully the replies to this video are as illuminating to you as they were to the large swathes of the Jewish community about two years ago."
