Police investigate “anti-Semitic insult” against a rabbi in a mosque

The MEN announced today that police have launched an investigation after a video clip circulated online showing a candidate for the general election for rabbi being shouted at outside a mosque.

Jewish leaders condemned the incident involving Arnold Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bury South, as “undoubtedly anti-Semitic”.

Rabbi Saunders was invited by the mosque’s elders to speak to members at the Masjid Bilal Islamic Centre in Prestwich, Bury. Footage shows Rabbi Saunders, who uses a walking frame, being verbally abused and called a “snake”.

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Greater Manchester Police said today that “investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and the individuals involved.”

Police said they had now been made aware of the video and confirmed that an investigation was underway.

In a statement to MEN, a GMP spokesperson said: “We have launched an investigation after being made aware of a social media video showing a rabbi being confronted on Bury New Road in Prestwich.”

“Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and those involved. Our officers on the scene continue to reassure the affected population. Ensuring the safety of people in our communities is our highest priority.

“We would encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a hate crime or harassment to come forward and report it to us so we can investigate the case thoroughly. This can be done via our reporting tool on the website or in an emergency by calling 101 or 999.

“Anyone in the community who is concerned about this incident or other issues can also raise them with their local officials.”

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region (JRCGM) issued a statement saying it expected action to be taken.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, meanwhile, expressed “disgust” at the “abusive treatment” he allegedly suffered. The footage, they added, “clearly shows” that he was “targeted in this way because of his religion”.

This development came after the mosque apologized to Rabbi Saunders “for the way he was treated.”

The mosque said in a statement that Rabbi Saunders, a Salford city councillor, was a guest at a meet-and-greet event but admitted he was “treated inappropriately and disrespectfully”. “The event was well received and the rabbi was made to feel welcome, and most of those in attendance responded positively to the rabbi,” the mosque said.

“Unfortunately, one or two people questioned the Rabbi in a hostile manner and this clip was widely shared. This clip was recorded by one of the people himself. The Rabbi was a guest of the mosque and was treated inappropriately and disrespectfully. Any serious political questions should have been asked respectfully. We regret what happened, we have already apologized to the Rabbi for the way he was treated and would like to extend our apologies to anyone else who saw the clip and is upset by it.”

The mosque said the incident was “not representative of the mosque’s congregation or the Muslim community in Bury”.

The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester also condemned the actions of those involved and called for those responsible to be “held to account”.

A statement from the forum said: “The Board of the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester was shocked and disgusted to see a video recording of Council Rabbi Arnold Saunders being subjected to vicious verbal abuse at Bilal Mosque in Prestwich.

“He is a popular man who always engages with the other participants. He is a highly respected figure who has been involved in interfaith work and Holocaust remembrance events throughout the Northwest region for many years.”