Jonathan Sacerdoti
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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. Since August 2014, Sacerdoti has been the spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism UK.[4]
Contents
Education
Sacerdoti studied English Language and Literature at Balliol College, Oxford University.[5]
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'.[6]
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.[7][8]
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’.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12]
In July 2012, Sacerdoti was elected to the Board of Deputies of British Jews International Division.[13]
Defending Israel in the media
Appearances on the BBC during Operation 'Pillar of Cloud'
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.[14]
Campaign Against Antisemitism
The Campaign Against Antisemitism was established in early August 2014 'by half-a-dozen activists and funded by private donations', presenting itself as a response to the higher levels of anti-Israel and allegedly anti-Jewish sentiment triggered by Israel's 'Operation Protective Edge' operation in Gaza.[15] Jonathan Sacerdoti is its spokesperson[4] and 'Director of Communications'.[16] On 31 August 2014 the group reportedly organised a march against antisemitism of 4,000 people in Central London, backed by the United Synagogue and the Office of the Chief Rabbi. Said Jonathan Sacerdoti of this backing: 'The establishment was very supportive; some might say they didn’t want to get left behind'.[15] On the day of the protest, he told a reporter,
It is great that the communal organisations who have been criticised for not doing enough have come on board and have supported us in organising an important day.[17]
As Sacerdoti's comment suggests, and as Ha'aretz reports, the Campaign Against Antisemitism is an intervention in Anglo-Jewish politics.[15] Its context appears to be one of increasing grassroots discontent among Jewish and pro-Israel activists with the performance of communal bodies on Israel and antisemitism. As one newspaper reported:
At the rally, there was audible booing when the representatives of the Board of Deputies – President Vivian Wineman and Senior Vice President Laura Marks – ascended the podium to speak. The Jewish Chronicle’s Marcus Dysch tweeted that people were shouting things like 'you need to do more', 'resign', and 'shame'.[18]
Sacerdoti was widely quoted in the media speaking about the 31 August rally. He urged a 'zero tolerance' approach to 'turn the tide' of antisemitism, and claimed British Jews 'feel overlooked and not protected enough'.[19]
Affiliations
- Board of Deputies of British Jews
- Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy
- Simon Wiesenthal Centre
- Zionist Federation
- Campaign Against Anti-Semitism
Resources
- Who is Jonathan Sacerdoti, the BBC’s Go-To Man on Gaza?, New Left Project, 16 November 2012
- Former Zionist Federation Official on the Run, New Left Project, 17 November 2012.
- Ben White, The Numbers Speak for Themselves, Electronic Intifada, 1 January 2012
- BBC finally admits bias over pro-Israel commentator, Electronic Intifada, 14 January 2015.
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
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 'Who we are', CampaignAgainstAntisemitism.com; accessed: 16 September, 2014.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Daniella Peled, 'Shaken by post-Gaza war hostility, U.K. Jews push back', Ha'aretz (15 September, 2014).
- ↑ CAA, Annual Antisemitism Barometer: 2015 Full Report.
- ↑ Rosa Doherty, 'Thousands turn out for London rally against antisemitism', Jewish Chronicle (31 August, 2014).
- ↑ Liam Hoare, 'Thousands rally in London against rising anti-Semitism', Times of Israel (1 September, 2014).
- ↑ Anil Dawar, 'Police must do more to tackle the rise of anti-Semitism, campaigners say', Daily Express (28 August, 2014).
