A TV star and self-styled “political commentator” has directly blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the terror attack on a Manchester synagogue, which left two people dead on Thursday.
Bushra Shaikh, who competed in a Channel 4 reality show about immigration in January appeared on The Apprentice in 2017, claimed that there was a “direct link” between the “crimes” occurring in Gaza and the “atrocity” committed against British Jews.
Despite no motive for the attack yet being established, Shaikh took to X in a video statement, which she captioned: “The Manchester attack is on Netanyahu. He has Jewish blood on his hands.”
In the clip, she said: “I am absolutely livid right now and I’m going to make this video because I need to do it.
"For some reason we can’t call things out as they are.”
While she condemned the “horrific attack”, which claimed the lives of 66-old-Melvin Cravitz and 53-year-old Martin Daulby, she took the opportunity to add: “There is no space for Islamophobia, anti-anything, antisemitism, whatever it is.”
"Is it partly because our government, our leaders are refusing to acknowledge what is causing this spike in hate crimes?” she went on.
"There is a direct link with geopolitical issues and the rise of hate.
"I blame this on Benjamin Netanyahu. He keeps telling the world that those atrocities that are taking place in Gaza are for the security and the safety of Jewish people all around the world.
"When things like that are said...you’re going to get people on the fringe minority that are radicalised by that s*** and end up putting Jewish communities in danger, which is what we’ve just seen here now.
"One man is putting millions of Jewish lives and millions of Muslim lives in danger so he can continue committing the crimes that he is in Gaza. That’s the connection.”
And, following her video, Shaikh responded to a post comparing her to Candace Owens, a US commentator who has spread antisemitic conspiracy theories, including claims that Jews have used the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes, saying: “Thanks. I'll take that compliment.
"Candace Owens does some great work and investigative journalism. But more importantly, she recognises the brutality inflicted upon Palestinians. And for that, she has my respect.”
Shaikh then appeared to confirm that she would appear on Owens’ show in the near future, adding: “Coming very soon my friend.”
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