Antisemitism in Political Parties

Marc Stanton

2019: Brexit Party parliamentary candidate, West Lancashire

Incidents

1. On 4th July 2014, Marc Stanton wrote on Facebook: “The situation between Israel and Palestine seems to continually get worse. Of course, I could not possibly express an opinion, but one could perhaps understand why some people might feel that the Israelis learnt their lesson well 60 years ago about genocide and oppression. The student should not always follow the teachings of the professor.”

2. On 20th July 2014, Mr Stanton wrote on Facebook: “having just watched the latest news from Gaza, I can’t say I am a fan of fanatical Islam, but I sure as hell am antisemitic now.”

3. On 28th July 2014, Mr Stanton wrote on Facebook: “Having been a university lecturer, I have learnt to appreciate the art of pedagogy and to enjoy the ability of students to learn from good practice. It [sic] nice to see how efficient the Germans were 70 years ago and how attentive the Jews were to the lessons in Genocide that were delivered in what I suppose were strange educational circumstances. The Jewish race certainly deserve a measure of congratulations in not only passing the lessons learnt from one generation to the next but improving on the delivery. None of this quietly taking people off to some deserted spot and pretending to give them showers; no sir. They do it in full view of the worlds [sic] media confident in the knowledge that the West will only make noises of protest but not actually do anything to stop it for fear of being called Anti-Semitic [sic]. Well if not being proud of part of the same human race that allows murdering bastards to kill children and old people, then I AM ANTI-SEMITIC [sic].”

Analysis

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis is that Mr Stanton’s actions and statements amount to breaches of the International Definition of Antisemitism and qualify as antisemitic discourse according to our methodology.

By claiming that Israelis have “learnt their lesson well 60 years ago about genocide and oppression” in relation to actions in Palestine [1], and again stating that Jews had been in receipt of “lessons in Genocide” from the Germans, suggesting that they had in fact surpassed them by “improving on the delivery” [3], he was “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.”

Additionally, by suggesting that it was the “Jewish race” who were “murdering bastards” supposedly being allowed to “kill children and old people” “in full view of the worlds [sic] media” [3], and by claiming with apparent pride to be antisemitic as a result of actions of the Israeli government in Gaza [2], he was “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”

Moreover, by stating, “I sure as hell am antisemitic now” [2], and “ I AM ANTI-SEMITIC [sic]” [3], he was unambiguously expressing “hatred towards Jews.”

Outcome

On 20th November 2019, Mr Stanton’s posts were reported in the local West Lancs press, and it was noted that he had initially declined to apologise but had subsequently amended his statement. On being approached for comment, Mr Stanton reportedly said: “It has been brought to my attention that I have used some appalling language on my private Facebook page in the past. I regret wholeheartedly using such language and realise that it will have offended some people. For this, I apologies [sic].”

He was further reported as saying: “My Grandmother was Jewish and so being part Jewish myself, I find it strange that I am being accused of being anti-Semitic [sic] and Islamophobic at the same time. I have always endeavored to treat every one of whatever background equally. It would seem that some of my Facebook posts from several years ago have been taken out of context and in a selective manner for the purpose of trying to cause me a problem.”

The Brexit Party was reported as having declined to comment.

In November 2019, Campaign Against Antisemitism put this matter to Mr Stanton, but did not receive a response.

In November 2019, Campaign Against Antisemitism put this matter to the Brexit Party, but did not receive a response.

Rating

Campaign Against Antisemitism has rated the Party’s handling of this matter as “bad”. Our rating system is explained in our methodology. This case was last updated on 4th December 2019.

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