closeicon
News

Why was this alleged spreader of antisemitic conspiracy theories allowed at Labour conference?

Tapash Abu Shaim is understood to have shared articles on social media claiming that Israel was behind the Charlie Hebdo killings, the ISIS terror group, and the 9/11 terror attacks.

articlemain

A Labour party member who is reported to have shared antisemitic conspiracy theories was manning the Palestine Solidarity Campaign stall at this year’s Labour party conference – and previously enjoyed a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament with Jeremy Corbyn.

Tapash Abu Shaim, who is understood to now be under investigation by Labour, shared articles on social media claiming that Israel was behind the Charlie Hebdo killings and the ISIS terror group, as well as promoting the antisemitic conspiracy theory that Israel was behind the 9/11 terror attacks. According to the Guido Fawkes political blog, the Labour party was notified about Mr Shaim’s social media activity back in August, with articles earlier in the year noting Mr Shaim’s presence at the 2016 Labour conference despite his social media posts. However, no action appeared to be taken at the time.

In 2012, Mr Shaim shared an article on social media from the far-right antisemitic Veterans Today website, the title of which was “9/11 Truth Could be the Answer to the Israel/Palestine Conflict”. Three months later, Mr Shaim was part of a PSC delegation which enjoyed a guided tour around Parliament, courtesy of Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Shaim subsequently praised Mr Corbyn on Twitter as being “the best tour guide… your knowledge about your history so deep & clear”. Mr Corbyn responded by saying “it was a pleasure showing PSC supporters round the vagaries of Parliament and British history”.

In a statement given to Guido, Jennifer Gerber, director of Labour Friends of Israel, said it was “disgusting that a Labour party member and Palestine Solidarity Campaign activist promotes conspiracy theories about the Jewish state being behind Islamist terrorist attacks.

“Given that both the Labour party and the PSC were made aware of Mr Shaim’s posts earlier this year, questions must be answered regarding how this individual was allowed into conference. The Labour party should expel Mr Shaim immediately and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign should cease all relations with him.”

Sign up for the JC Politics email
Click here to receive the best of our political writing direct to your inbox every Friday

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive