Quakers row as venue is rented out to anti-Zionist

A CONTROVERSIAL speaker accused of peddling antisemitic theories was allowed to speak at a Quaker-founded cultural centre despite a similar institution having previously banned him.

Thomas Suarez appeared at a Bath Friends of Palestine event last Friday at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI).

His lecture, the Problem with Zionism, argued that the cause of the Middle East conflict was “the history of Zionism in practice”.

In an email circulated to advertise his talk, BRLSI cited his 2016 book State of Terror: How Terrorism Created Modern Israel, with recommendations from Baroness Tonge and historian Ilan Pappé.

Mr Suarez, a professional violinist, is notorious for an hour-long rant about Jews and Zionism to the Palestine Society at the School of Oriental and African Studies in November 2016. He branded Zionism “fascist” and claimed its leaders encouraged antisemitism in Germany to force Jews to move to Palestine.

In May 2017 the Quaker-owned Cambridge Friends Meeting House cancelled an appearance by Mr Suarez, deciding it was not “in line with Quaker values”.

But despite the concerns of BRLSI supporters, the institution allowed the talk to go ahead. Steve Wharton, the BRLSI chair of directors, said: “The responsibility for any opinions expressed rests with the hirer and the speaker.”

Penny Williamson, a BRLSI supporter, told the JC: “I don’t think this nature of person should be hosted by BRLSI. I don’t think their excuse that they are just renting out the room washes either.

“The Quaker founder of BRLSI, Edmund Rack did not start the organisation for this sort of thing.”

Jonathan Arkush, the president of the Board of Deputies, last year condemned Mr Suarez for “repeatedly and unapologetically making statements comparing Zionists to Nazis”.

Their excuse about renting the room does not wash’