Film director Ken Loach has attacked Israel’s action in Gaza, calling it “one of the great crimes of the last decades” and saying the rise in antisemitism is a direct consequence.
Speaking at the launch of an independent tribunal on the conflict, Mr Loach, whose work includes Kes and Cathy Come Home, said individuals and organisations behind Operation Cast Lead would “have to pay” for their actions.
Referring to the conflict, Mr Loach said: “When history comes to be written, I think this will be seen as one of the great crimes of the last decades because of the cold blooded massacre that we witnessed. Unless we take a stand against it we are complicit.
“I know there have been recently statements about the rise in antisemitism. Well of course we all abhor racism in whatever form, wherever it comes, but nothing has been a greater instigator of antisemitism than the self-proclaimed Jewish state itself.
“Until we deal with that, until that is acknowledged, then racism, I’m afraid, will be with us.”
He declined a JC request to explain the comments in more detail.
Mr Loach’s remarks were made at the launch of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, in Brussels, on March 4.