Jonathan Sacerdoti

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<youtube size="medium" align="right" caption="Sacerdoti on Sky News defending Israel's actions the day after its 2010 raid on the Gaza flotilla">2zrJvumvsFQ</youtube>

Jonathan Sacerdoti is a Director of the Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy[1] based in the UK and is also registered as a director of a UK branch of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, alongside Marvin Hier - founder and dean of the orginal centre, based in the USA - and others.[2] He has also worked as Director of Public Affairs at the Zionist Federation[3] and is currently a member of the International Division of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Education

Sacerdoti studied English Language and Literature at Balliol College, Oxford University.[4]

Jonathan Sacerdoti, LinkedIn profile which fails to mention his roles at the Zionist Federation and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. It was removed just hours after an article mentioning these oversights was published. Screengrab taken 16 November 2012


Activities

In 4 May 2010 Sacerdoti reportedly spoke publicly about ‘ways to use Facebook, Twitter and other online resources to advocate for Israel’ at a Zionist Federation Israel advocacy event called 'Talk for Israel'.[5]

On 1 June 2010, the day after nine activists on the Mavi Marmara were killed by the Israeli military, Sacerdoti appeared on Sky News and Al Jazeera defending Israel's actions.[6][7]

On 6 July 2010 Sacerdoti met Israeli President Shimon Peres. He uploaded a picture of himself shaking hands with Peres, with the caption 'Jonathan Sacerdoti, of Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.[8]

On 30 November 2012 Sacerdoti collaborated with Gili Brenner of StandWithUs to make a video for what they called 'Buy Israeli Goods Day', intended to counter the boycott divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel.[9]

On 24 February 2011 he met Ron Prosor, former Israeli ambassador to the UK. A picture of him with Prosor, Gili Brenner of StandWithUs and pro-Israel blogger Chas Newkey-Burden was posted on the latter's website.[10]

On 28 August 2011 Sacerdoti attended and spoke at a pro-Israel rally in Trafalgar Square organised by the British Israel Coalition and supported by StandWithUs.[11]

In July 2012, Sacerdoti was elected to the Board of Deputies of British Jews International Division.[12]

Defending Israel in the media

Appearances on the BBC during Operation 'Pillar of Cloud'

Jonathan Sacerdoti on Al Jazeera on 1 June 2010 defending Israel's attack on the flotilla for the Zionist Federation joined by opposing guest, Palestinian Ghada Karmi. Screengrab taken 15 November 2012
Jonathan Sacerdoti on BBC News on 14 November 2012 where as director of the Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy he was given an unchallenged platform. Screengrab taken 15 November 2012

Sacerdoti appeared on BBC news programmes four times in two days between 14-15 November 2012 and was described as being from the Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy giving the impression that he was a neutral expert on the region. Each time he defended Israel's attacks on Gaza and each time no alternative perspective was given by the BBC.[13]

Affiliations

Resources

Notes

  1. About Us, IMED, accessed 16 July 2012
  2. SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTRE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, Company Check, accessed 19 July 2012
  3. ZIONIST FEDERATION CONDEMNS TUC CONGRESS APPROVAL OF DISCRIMINATORY BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI GOODS, Zionist Federation News, accessed 19 July 2012
  4. Jonathan Sacerdoti, Yatedo, accessed 16 November 2012
  5. How to advocate for Israel, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
  6. Jonathan Sacerdoti on Al Jazeera discussing the Gaza flotilla incident Youtube via MrJonSac, 1 June 2010, accessed 16 November 2012
  7. Jonathan Sacerdoti, live interview on Sky News regarding the flotilla incident, Youtube via MrJonSac, 1 June 2010, accessed 16 November 2012
  8. Sacerdoti meeting Peres, Flickr Screengrab made 15 November 2012
  9. Sacerdoti and Brenner video, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
  10. Sacerdoi with Prosor, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
  11. Sacerdoti at pro-Israel rally, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
  12. Results of Board Divisional Elections, Board of Deputies of British Jews, accessed 31 July 2012
  13. Who is Jonathan Sacerdoti, the BBC’s Go-To Man on Gaza?, New Left Project, 16 November 2012, accessed 17 November 2012