Giant banner depicting Theresa May with star of David earrings removed by Bristol City Council following outcry

A giant banner depicting Theresa May with star of David earrings has been taken down by Bristol City Council. The banner was found around Bristol’s Bear Pit and featured Jeremy Corbyn as Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars films, whilst Theresa May was shown wearing star of David earrings alongside the caption “For a few”.

Local residents contacted Campaign Against Antisemitism, the local council and the police, leading to the removal of the banner by the Council. We understand that a police investigation has now been opened.

Nima Masterson, one of the people who reportedly put up the banner, told the Bristol Post: “It’s not meant to be that at all. It’s a tiny element of the whole banner. What we are doing with that symbol — it’s an earring — is a reference to Theresa May’s government’s relationship with Israel. It is a critique of her foreign policy, rather than against religion. This is about foreign policy.”

The poster uses the emblem of the Jewish religion in a way that can be interpreted to infer that Theresa May is under the control of Jews, which draws on antisemitic conspiracy myths. Of course those responsible for the poster may say that they meant nothing of that nature and intended only to criticise Israel. If that is the case then they should have found a less offensive way of doing so. It is outrageous that the banner was allowed to be put up and we are pleased that those behind it have recognised that it should be removed.

Image credit: Bristol Post and Jennie Banks