Police Service of Northern Ireland investigating antisemitic comments in pub, including “Hitler didn’t kill enough f***ing Jews”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating shocking antisemitic comments made in a pub, including that “Hitler didn’t kill enough f***ing Jews.”

Israeli author and journalist, Tuvia Tenenbom, filmed several men inside a pub in Derry’s Bogside, a predominantly nationalist area, as part of a documentary on Brexit. The clip has been widely circulated online.

After entering the pub and seeing Palestinian flags on display, Mr Tenenbom asked drinkers at the bar why they support Palestine. Some of the blatantly antisemitic responses were: “Because we hate the f***ing Jews” and “The Israelis are child-murdering scum.” A man in an orange high-visibility jacket then declared: “The only thing that Hitler didn’t do wrong. He didn’t kill enough f***ing Jews…Jews are the scourge of the Earth.” The comment was met with laughter from other patrons.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that it is investigating the incident. Chief Inspector Gerard McLaughlin said: “Police have received a complaint in relation to a video on a social media site. Enquiries are ongoing into this incident.”

Condemnation from political leaders in Northern Ireland has been swift. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster called it: “A disgusting comment. The small Jewish community in Northern Ireland will always have my support and that of all right thinking people.”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said that: “There is no place for racism, sectarianism, antisemitism or discrimination of any kind in our society.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said that he did not think it was reflective of “mainstream thinking in Londonderry or anywhere else in Northern Ireland.”

Alliance leader Naomi Long said that there was “no place” for antisemitism in society, and said she hoped action would be taken.”

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood said that: “These comments are totally unacceptable; both the language and sentiment is not reflective of the people of Derry. I know the views expressed in the video will be widely and rightly rejected by the people of Derry.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomes the investigation by the police and is following the case with interest.