The landlord of a pub in West Yorkshire, which failed to act when a team calling itself “Golders Green should be Golders Greed” won its regular quiz has apologised for not preventing them from using the antisemitic name.
The name was read out without objection or sanction at The Crown in the village of Boston Spa, promoting a complaint from a local.
The complainant, who was not Jewish, said: “This was absolutely outrageous, and is both insensitive and racist towards innocent British Jews.
“How was this allowed in our local pub? Which member of staff felt this insensitive and damaging team name was acceptable? This type of public victimisation perpetuates ill feeling and alienation towards a minority group. To be blunt, it incites hatred.
“The Crown is clearly not an inclusive establishment. What Jew could ever feel welcome or safe there. Shameful!”
In response, the pub’s manager said he was “reviewing the incident with the quiz team and staff to ensure greater care is taken over team names and language used during future events”.
”We are very sorry that this team name caused offence and distress,” he added. “The name should not have been accepted, and we take concerns about discrimination and inclusivity very seriously.
“At the time, it appears the significance and implications of the wording were not properly recognised by those running the quiz, but that does not lessen the impact it may have had on customers and members of the community.
“We want all customers to feel welcome and safe in the pub regardless of background or religion, and we appreciate you raising this with us.”
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is plainly racist. It shows just how normalised racism against Jews has become in Britain.
“This is not a performative protest or hate march or anonymous online abuse: it’s normal people doing normal things at the local pub, and casually incorporating antisemitism, and nobody bats an eyelid.
“Everyone knows now that abusing Jews carries no consequences. Worse still, it has become cool. Not for the first time in history.”
The JC contacted The Crown for comment.
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