Who is Gary Clueit?

Gary Clueit is a Member of the Legislative Council (upper chamber) of the Parliament of the Isle of Man.

Elected on 4th March, his term is expected to last five years, until 28th February 2030.

Mr Clueit has been accused of publishing several antisemitic statements on a now-deleted X account with the handle @GCluiet.

According to the JC, a post on the account claimed that “‘Antisemitic’ has been rendered meaningless. It’s like p***ing into the wind. That warm feeling it gives you is just the p*** running down your leg.”

Regarding the Holocaust, one post read: “I may question some of the numbers and I deeply mourn the lack of wide acknowledgement (or even knowledge) of all its other victims…It was a dark stain on humanity. As was the Nakba [the establishment of the state of Israel and the concurrent displacement of populations] and what has been allowed to follow.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Denying the scope of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II” and “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” are examples of antisemitism.

Another post on the account read: “The Jewish wealthy are still pursuing items stolen by the Nazis nearly 80 years ago. Another useful precedent. They endorse zero statute of limitations on claims of theft.”

There is an unsubtle irony in the post connecting Jews and wealth and theft, which are classic tropes. According to the Definition, “Making stereotypical allegations about Jews” is an example of antisemitism.

Regarding a question that asked if there is a difference between the ‘master race’ (a phrase commonly associated with the Nazi view of Aryan people) and the ‘chosen people’ (long associated with the Jews, since the Bible), a post on the profile answered: “No. In both cases, it’s a delusion brought about by a mental illness.”

Another post described Israel – the world’s only Jewish state – as “an extremely sick society” afflicted with “bloodlust”.

According to the Definition, “Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism, e.g. blood libel, to characterise Israel” is an example of antisemitism.

Another post read: “Zionists control the US body politic and media. They don’t give a toss about Jews.”

Eight in ten British Jews consider themselves to be Zionists; only 6% do not, according to our polling. According to the Definition, “Making mendacious allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the government or other societal institutions,” is an example of antisemitism.

On 9th October 2023, a post was published which read: “Almost all casualties are former Brooklyn, Moscow and other immigrants who murdered, terrorised and stole Palestinian lands to settle. It wouldn’t matter what their colour, creed or religion – they are invaders and treated accordingly. Sadly, civilians are always victims of conflict [sic].”

Two days earlier, on 7th October, Hamas, an antisemitic genocidal terror group, committed a barbaric attack in Israel, abusing and murdering some 1,200 people in cold blood, including women, children and the elderly. Terrorists also took over 250 people hostage. The attack has been described as the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, and some of the hostages remain in captivity in unspeakable conditions.

Another post included the claim: “There is no evidence of a single rape committee [sic] by Hamas on Oct 7.”

There have been numerous reports and testimonials of Hamas’ sexual violence on 7th October, including a recent report published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on UK-Israel.

Following the JC’s report, Mr Clueit said: “All I will say is that they are all completely out of context. And that is key.”

He has since issued a 23-page statement, part of which said: “The irony of the accusations against me is that there is no-one on our island that would do more to defend, protect and support our valued Jewish community from actual antisemitism, something I have never and will never tolerate.”

He also said: “I have never conflated Jews or even Israel with Zionists – simply because neither all Jews nor even all Israelis are Zionists.”