Journalist who allegedly called Holocaust a “myth” mentored students at University of Westminster
A journalist who reportedly called the Holocaust a “myth” mentored students at the University of Westminster, according to the JC.
Motasem Ahmed Dalloul, who works as the Gaza correspondent of Middle East Monitor, a news site backed by the Qatari Government, reportedly provided career advice to students in the 2021-22 academic year.
In November 2014, Mr Dalloul allegedly shared an article about Germany’s decision not to recognise a state of Palestine, writing: “They nurtured the myth of the Holocaust and then they continue supporting the Zionists!!”
In 2014, he reportedly claimed: “Israeli occupation is crueller on Palestinians than Hitler persecution to Jews.”
In June 2016, he reportedly shared a link to an article published by a website called Days of Palestine, which he apparently co-founded. The page was titled “A 91-year-old Jew admits telling lies about Holocaust” and recounted the story of Joseph Hirt, who in 2016 admitted that he had lied about escaping Auschwitz. The article claimed that “This adds more reasons to review the facts about the Holocaust,” and Mr Dalloul shared the article on Twitter with a photo of Mr Hirt and allegedly wrote: “This adds more question marks ahead of what is called a Holocaust.”
In 2017, two days after three Israeli civilians were stabbed to death, Mr Dalloul allegedly wrote on social media: “Resisting occupation with all available means, including armed struggle is legitimate based on inte’l law. #ResistanceIsNotTerrorism.” When another user responded, “Walking into a home and stabbing three innocent people in the middle of dinner is not remotely equal to ‘resistance’. Terrorism is terrorism,” Mr Dalloul reportedly replied: “No, they live in occupied land, they’ve served in army, killed Palestinians, innocent Jews live in their home countries, not others’ countries.”
According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion,” “Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust,” and “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” are all examples of antisemitism.
The University of Westminster has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.
Mr Dalloul graduated from the University of Westminster, following which he worked as a staff writer at Middle East Monitor and contributed to Middle East Eye and TRT World. He was awarded a certificate of participation signed by Vice-Chancellor Dr Peter Bonfield and Caroline Lloyd, the University’s Director of Student Services, in spite of his history of inflammatory statements.
Motasem Dalloul reportedly told the JC: “All what you said is fake. I’m actually against the Zionist-Israeli occupation of Palestine, but don’t deny anyone’s pain and suffering.”
Binyomin Gilbert, Programme Manager at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “It is deplorable that the wellbeing of Jewish students at the University of Westminster seems to be playing second fiddle to a desire to tolerate those whose rhetoric has been so inflammatory.
“According to our 2021 Antisemitism Barometer, a staggering 92% of British Jews believe that antisemitism in British universities is a problem, with 84% believing that it is a ‘very big problem’ or ‘quite a big problem’. One need only to look at the example set by the University of Westminster to see why.
“The University has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism. Now it is time to enforce it and prove that it is serious about protecting its Jewish students.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism monitors the adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitismby universities.
If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected].
Image credit: JC
