David Baddiel and Board of Deputies chief in angry Twitter storm over Israel
Jewish comedian and Jonathan Arkush in astonishing public argument, sparked by a Piers Morgan tweet about Holocaust remembrance.
Jewish comedian David Baddiel and the head of the representative body for British Jewry have become embroiled in a heated public argument on social media, after the former used the F-word in relation to Israel.
Jonathan Arkush, president of the Board of Deputies, took exception to one of Baddiel’s comments on Twitter, itself a response to comments by Piers Morgan, the former editor of tabloids such as News of the World and Daily Mirror.
Morgan angered Baddiel by describing the Holocaust as “not just about the Jews,” and after Morgan posted about Donald Trump’s support for Israel, Baddiel tweeted: “I don’t give a f*** about f***ing Israel. I give a f*** about Holocaust denial.”
At which point Arkush got involved, tweeting that Baddiel’s F-word comment on Israel was “totally racist and beneath contempt,” and asking Baddiel for an explanation.
Baddiel tweeted: “I don’t give a f*** about f***ing Israel. I give a f*** about Holocaust denial.”
Baddiel offered to do so in a direct message to Arkush, to explain the context, at which point Arkush replied: “No context justifies ‘f***ing Israel.’ Damning an entire country is racist. Period.”
Baddiel responded: “Please don’t use period, unless you want to sound like @SeanSpicer,” in reference to Donald Trump’s press spokesman.
The unusual public bust-up garnered dozens of comments, as the debate opened up as to why Baddiel’s lack of concern for Israel meant that he was racist.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
