Jewish university chaplain who was forced into hiding with his family after receiving death threats from ‘hate campaign’ has condemned Leeds University for not protecting him and his family
A Jewish university chaplain who was forced into hiding due to death threats has condemned the institution for failing to protect him and his family.
Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch, who worked at the University of Leeds for three years with his wife Nava, said they will move back to Israel.
Rabbi Deutsch – an IDF reservist – claims to have suffered a shocking hate campaign after returning from service in the Israeli army for three months after October 7 Hamas attack.
He was accused of ‘genocide’ and became the target of an avalanche of more than 300 threatening phone calls. The police even advised the family of four to go into hiding.
The abuse was partly fueled by controversial Green Party councilor Mothin Ali, 42, who shouted “Allahu Akbar” moments after being elected to Leeds City Council last month.
Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch, who worked at the University of Leeds for three years with his wife Nava, said they will move back to Israel
An investigation by the Mail in February found that Ali – a prominent YouTuber and TikTok influencer – had made a video about Rabbi Deutsch calling him a “kind of animal,” a “creepy,” and a “low-life,” and falsely accusing him of deliberately trying to kill women and children.
In one of the threatening phone calls to Ms. Deutsch, a man is heard shouting, “Tell that Jewish bastard we’re coming for him.” We’re coming to his house, we’re going to kill him, and you too, you fucking racist bitch.”
The abuse was partly fueled by controversial Green Party councilor Mothin Ali (pictured), 42, who shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ moments after being elected to Leeds City Council last month.
In a statement, the couple said: ‘The last few months since October last year have been exceptionally challenging, both on a personal and communal level.
“There were many times when we felt that the university should have been much stronger in protecting our family, and the Jewish students, from those on campus who attacked Israel and our right to be Jewish.”
Last night a university spokesperson said: ‘We fully condemn the anti-Semitic abuse directed at the chaplain and his family – such attacks on any individual are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.’
