An Islamophobic and anti-Arab official at Britain’s leading Jewish organisation has been suspended for six years.
Roslyn Pine, a deputy in North Finchley of the pro-Israel Board of Deputies of British Jews, said she detested “the creed of Islam” and described Muslims as “the vilest of animals.” She also described Arabs as “so evil” and retweeted a message describing Arab migrants to Europe as “an invading army.”
Following a series of complaints, a Board committee found on Wednesday that she had brought the organisation into disrepute.
In her defence, Mrs Pine said: “I certainly said that all religions, including Judaism, being a body of ideas, should be open to criticism and mockery in a free society.
“It is correct that I have an issue with Muslims and Arabs who want to kill us and destroy Israel, as do most normative Jews. I would expect that every deputy at the Board would also hold that view, otherwise what is their purpose there?”
But the constitution committee upheld the complaint, saying it “does not agree with Mrs Pine’s analysis.”
It added: “Mrs Pine makes it clear that her views are negative about Islam. What Mrs Pine is saying is that the killing of Jews and the destruction of Israel is fundamental to the Islamic religion, and so implying condemnation of all Muslims.”
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Ella Rose, deputy for Bushey United Synagogue and national director of Jewish Labour Movement, praised the Board for reaching a conclusion in a “swift, transparent and satisfactory manner.”
Ms Rose said: “This makes clear that there is no space for those who espouse Islamophobic views in our community.”
