A Muslim leader has attracted ridicule over claims that “Zionists” broke into his house and stole one of his shoes.
Asghar Bukhari, a founding member of the grassroots group Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK, posted the accusation on Facebook under the heading “ARE ZIONISTS TRYING TO INTIMIDATE ME”.
Mr Bukhari wrote: “Someone came into my home yesterday, while I was asleep. I dont know how they got in, but they didn't break in - the only thing they took was one shoe.
“Now think about that, the only thing they took was a single shoe - they left one shoe behind to let me know someone had been there. Of course I cant prove anything and thats part of the intimidation.
“The game is simple - to make me feel vulnerable in my own home. Its Psychological. Neither can I do much about it.”
Thousands of tweets were posted in response, with people including Maajid Nawaz, the founder of anti-extremism group Quilliam, making fun of Mr Bukhari under the nationally trending hashtag #MossadStoleMyShoe.
Mr Bukhari, who regularly posts anti-Israel messages through his Twitter page, has since removed the post from his Facebook page, though not before uploading a video to YouTube in which he also accused Zionists of stealing his slippers.
In response to those who denied “Zionists” would have stolen his shoes, he said: “There’s a very good chance. They’re stealing people’s homes in Palestine. A shoe ain’t no big deal for those guys.”
In the video, he also accused “Zionists” of assaulting him, going through his bins and taking pictures of his house before posting them online.
Some of the satirical responses to the story on Twitter under the hashtag #MossadStoleMyShoe:
Ever have trouble finding your other shoe? British Muslim activist says: #MossadStoleMyShoe http://t.co/yaQAfdzm4s pic.twitter.com/QfXYjlOSYw
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) June 14, 2015
Watch your steps. This evil Ziodog agent is right behind you. #MossadStoleMyShoe pic.twitter.com/cT9Hc2gTAZ
— Julie Lenarz (@MsIntervention) June 13, 2015
Mossad headquarters #MossadStoleMyShoe pic.twitter.com/g092MVmuqZ
— Lahav Harkov (@LahavHarkov) June 13, 2015
More evidence of those damn Zionists bugging my shoe. #MossadStoleMyShoe pic.twitter.com/EULc5G2GET
— פטריק פולוק (@redbrasco) June 13, 2015
