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Jewish Voice For Labour promotes graffiti 'vigil', prompting antisemitic conspiracy theories in return

One person wrote: 'Is this a continuation of the far right Zionist disinformation campaign?'

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Jewish Voice For Labour's Facebook page has been hit by antisemitic conspiracy theories after the fringe group promoted a "vigil" after anti-Jewish graffiti was daubed across a synagogue wall and on shop windows in north London.

The graffiti, which showed a Star of David and the words "9/11", was discovered in Hampstead and Belsize Park on Sunday morning and those who daubed it were condemned as "cowardly pedlars of hate".

JVL posted a link to the event, which is to take place on Monday afternoon and is hosted by the controversial Stand Up To Racism.

One Facebook user replied: "Is this a continuation of the far right Zionist disinformation campaign?”

Another contributor wrote: "Is it antisemitic to accuse Israel of 'false flag' complicity in the 9/11 attack though?

“The Star of David is the political logo of Israel. I don't see any anti-Jewish abuse here? More anti-Israel surely ?

Insisting he agreed it was “completely wrong” to target buildings, including South Hampstead shul with graffiti, he added: “I’m just worried that every criticism of Israeli actions becomes dismissed as antisemitism.”

The news that Stand Up To Racism, which is linked to the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), is to host the event was met with widespread dismay in the Jewish community.

The group, whose co-convenor is Weyman Bennett, a member of SWP’s central committee, wrote: “Show your opposition to the horrific antisemitic graffiti that has been daubed on a synagogue and shops in Hampstead and Belsize Park.

"We say never again! We are assembling at the heart of the area that was attacked.”

Peter Mason, the national secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: "I am angry at antisemitic graffiti on the streets of my city.

"I am also angry at the SWPization of my party, many of whom seem to have suddenly discovered solidarity when called on by non-Jewish front groups for revolutionary parties.”

In a statement released on Sunday, South Hampstead Synagogue, which was targeted with the graffiti, said: “As a community we regret the rise of hate speech in society. Social media is polluted with xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, misogyny, racism and antisemitism.

“Sadly these things are connected. This is a time for people of all backgrounds – of all faiths and of none –to stand united and show our determination that we do not tolerate prejudice, hate and division.”

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