A social networking site for over-50s has removed its news and debating section in response to a torrent of anti-Israel messages being posted on the forum.

Saga Zone banned one unnamed user for posting “offensive” anti-Israel messages on the site.

Paul Green, a director at Saga Zone, said: “Action taken has included banning an individual who persistently copied and pasted anti-Israeli propaganda. In addition, we have deleted discussion threads on an alleged Israeli shoot-to-kill policy and another about the Israeli bombing of Gaza, both of which had become rather too heated.”

Sue Berry, a Jewish former Saga Zone user, said the site had “become terrible over the past few months.

“I’m sure that I was banned last week for saying that messages were antisemitic. The things that were being posted were not valid criticism of Israel or Judaism. Users were quoting the Elders of Zion and saying the Jews control the press, banks and America.”

Mr Green said: “There’s a fine line between fair comment and something that becomes bullying and offensive.

“Saga Zone is not a site where debates like that should go on.”