The Morning Star newspaper has published an article attempting to link Israel with the killing of the black American George Floyd.

In a report published on June 1st by the Communist Party of Great Britain’s news outlet, it was alleged that "officers from the US police force responsible for the killing of George Floyd received training in restraint techniques and anti-terror tactics from Israeli law-enforcement officers".

The unsubstantiated allegation was based on a claim that "100 Minnesota police officers attended a 2012 conference hosted by the Israeli consulate in Chicago, the second time such an event had been held".

But there is no evidence whatsoever that US police were taught tactics such as those which led to the death of Mr Floyd, which was captured on video by an onlooker.

Neither is there any evidence that any of the officers  involved in the incident in which Mr Floyd was killed attended the conference.

The Morning Star rely instead on a speculative quote from Neta Golan, the co-founder of International Solidarity Movement (ISM). He says: “When I saw the picture of killer cop Derek Chauvin murdering George Floyd by leaning in on his neck with his knee as he cried for help and other cops watched, I remembered noticing when many Israeli soldiers began using this technique of leaning in on our chest and necks when we were protesting in the West Bank sometime in 2006.’’

The article has been condemned in America – even by a Jewish organisation not normally known for its criticism of those who attack Israel.

Jewish Voice For Peace said in a statement: "Suggesting that Israel is the start or source of American police violence shifts the blame from the United States to Israel.

"It also furthers an antisemitic ideology.’’

Meanwhile, there was also anger over US rapper Ice Cube's response to the murder of Mr Floyd. He tweeted an infamous antisemitic mural that depicted Jewish bankers sitting around a Monopoly board resting on the backs of naked black and brown men.

The image had been painted by the graffiti artist Mear One, who was once defended by Jeremy Corbyn.

Ice Cube wrote above the image: "F**k THE NEW NORMAL UNTIL THEY FIX THE OLD NORMAL!"

Despite widespread criticism over the tweet, he refused to delete his post.