Pro-Palestine academic calls for Jewish conference venue to be 'BLOWN UP' in 'shocking threat' online
Harriet Bradley, 78, a former Labour Councillor and “passionate socialist”, made the comment in a now-deleted social media post
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A pro-Palestine academic has called for somebody to “blow up” a venue hosting a Jewish Labour Movement event.
Harriet Bradley, 78, a former Labour Councillor and “passionate socialist”, made the comment in a now-deleted social media post.
Responding to a post by the Jewish Labour Movement, the Emeritus sociology professor wrote: “Somebody blow up the venue.”
The one day conference event, which is being held on January 14, is hosting a number of leading Labour figures.
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Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, former Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and ex-Labour MP Luciana Berger were among the first set of speakers announced.
Avon & Somerset Police are reportedly investigating the matter as an “incident of malicious communications”.
Bradley, whose social media account states she “hate[s] Tories” and backs the “Free Palestine” movement, also said just a few days ago: “They use the Holocaust as a psychological weapon. The world’s leaders are stupid enough to do along with this.”
However, the latest incident also led to a backlash from the Jewish community.
The University of Bristol’s Jewish society described her comments as “antisemitic” and “disgraceful”, adding: “We hope that swift and harsh action is taken on the back of this comment online and hope to see all hate, racism and anti-semitism removed from campus.”
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A screengrab of Harriet Bradley's since deleted post
The Union of Jewish Students issued a statement saying: “This morning, an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol encouraged her followers to 'blow up' a Jewish conference next month.
“After two months of death threats, physical assault, and verbal abuse, Jewish students know all too well that the rot in university faculties runs deep.”
Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Culture Secretary and Labour MP for Bristol West, confirmed she was putting pressure on the Russell Group university to take action.
The Jewish Labour Movement published its lengthy letter to Bristol University on social media.
The letter, written by national movement chair Mike Katz and national secretary Miriam Mirwitch, said: “This is an opportunity for your university to act with speed and certainty when it comes to dealing with antisemitism amongst its faculty and demonstrating a zero tolerance for antisemitism.
“Does the University think Professor Bradley's conduct is what one would expect of someone on whom you have bestowed the honour of an Emeritus professorship?”
The Wills Memorial Building, part of the University of Bristol
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It added: “Now that Professor Bradley is retired, we understand you have no responsibility for her conduct.
“However, you do have the ability to send a powerful message about the lack of tolerance the faculty has for such hateful, highly dangerous and inflammatory behaviour.”
However, Bradley claimed her comments were “only banter” and a “joke”, adding: “I do realise now it was in bad taste and would like to apologies to all those offended or frightened by it.”
She also told The Jewish Chronicle that she “deplored the way that Labour has been taken over by pro-Zionist people and left-wing Jews have been kicked out”.
A University of Bristol spokesperson confirmed appropriate action will be taken against the now-retired former employee.
They said: “We are deeply dismayed by the inflammatory comment on social media from a former employee who has long retired and are taking appropriate action.”