“Dorset Eye” community website used as cover to spread antisemitic hate
Articles defending Ken Livingstone and Jackie Walker’s antisemitic comments and accusing Israel of becoming a “Nazi state” have been posted on the Dorset Eye, a supposed community-friendly website and online magazine which includes sections on “Parenting and Children”, “Older People”, “Wildlife” and “Anti-racism”. The website, founded by Jason and Debbie Cridland, poses as a community resource — “Dorset’s only news outlet for the people of Dorset, by the people of Dorset.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism has uncovered disturbing content on the Dorset Eye. An article apparently written by Jamie Stern-Weiner, in the “Anti-racism” section, defended the disgraced and suspended Labour and Momentum activist Jackie Walker. Stern-Weiner wrote that “The antisemitism allegations against Walker are devoid of factual basis.” Another article defended Ken Livingstone’s claim that Hitler supported Zionism. The author, named as Tim Nicholls, wrote that “I have checked, and he is right…To state this is simply a matter of fact and not a demonstration of antisemitism.”
Dorset Eye also ran an article under the name Harry Paterson headlined: “Rockets Into Israel Are The Legitimate Resistance Of A Desperate People”, justifying the firing of rockets into Israel by the genocidal antisemitic terrorist group Hamas. Another, referring to Israel’s invasion of Gaza, posts a piece titled “Dedicated to Israeli foreign policy in Gaza: Dead Kennedys – I Kill Children” dedicates the piece to “the people in Israel…” features a music video and quotes the lyrics “I kill children, I love to see them die”, appearing to invoke the blood libel. While on their “Links” page, there is a link to Press TV which has a history of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and is affiliated with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
In another piece titled “Gaza, The Merchant Of Venice and the Nazification of Israel” the author, Chris Stone, says: “…yes, I will say it. Israel is becoming like a Nazi state”, and in turn links to articles claiming “The Zionist dream is based on the repeated slaughter of innocents.”
It is unacceptable for a community website and resource which purports to have a warm and fuzzy image to publish antisemitic articles that clearly breach the International Definition of Antisemitism, as adopted by our government and the Labour Party. Campaign Against Antisemitism condemns the use of the Dorset Eye as a cover for the dissemination of hateful material.