Jonathan Sacerdoti
<youtube size="medium" align="right" caption="Sacerdoti on Sky News defending Israel's actions the day after its 2010 raid on the Gaza flotilla">ysbCX9NLeS8</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.
Contents
Education
Sacerdoti studied English Language and Literature at Balliol College, Oxford University.[4]
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 Defense'
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
- Board of Deputies of British Jews
- Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy
- Simon Wiesenthal Centre
- Zionist Federation
Resources
- Who is Jonathan Sacerdoti, the BBC’s Go-To Man on Gaza?, New Left Project, 16 November 2012
- Ben White, The Numbers Speak for Themselves, Electronic Intifada, 1 January 2012
Notes
- ↑ About Us, IMED, accessed 16 July 2012
- ↑ SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTRE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, Company Check, accessed 19 July 2012
- ↑ ZIONIST FEDERATION CONDEMNS TUC CONGRESS APPROVAL OF DISCRIMINATORY BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI GOODS, Zionist Federation News, accessed 19 July 2012
- ↑ Jonathan Sacerdoti, Yatedo, accessed 16 November 2012
- ↑ How to advocate for Israel, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
- ↑ Jonathan Sacerdoti on Al Jazeera discussing the Gaza flotilla incident Youtube via MrJonSac, 1 June 2010, accessed 16 November 2012
- ↑ Jonathan Sacerdoti, live interview on Sky News regarding the flotilla incident, Youtube via MrJonSac, 1 June 2010, accessed 16 November 2012
- ↑ Sacerdoti meeting Peres, Flickr Screengrab made 15 November 2012
- ↑ Sacerdoti and Brenner video, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
- ↑ Sacerdoi with Prosor, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
- ↑ Sacerdoti at pro-Israel rally, Screengrab made 15 November 2012
- ↑ Results of Board Divisional Elections, Board of Deputies of British Jews, accessed 31 July 2012
- ↑ Who is Jonathan Sacerdoti, the BBC’s Go-To Man on Gaza?, New Left Project, 16 November 2012, accessed 17 November 2012
