Deputy stands down over ‘unacceptable’ Nazi insults
A BOARD of Deputies member has resigned after a complaint about tweets in which he called a former deputy and trainee rabbi a “kapo”, and participants of the Kaddish for Gaza event “Nazi youth”.
Nick Pitch, who was elected to represent Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue in June, made the comments on August 9, as he argued on Twitter with Gabriel Webber, a former deputy for the Union of Jewish Students and Liberal Judaism, who stepped down in 2017 to focus on his rabbinic training.
Mr Pitch appeared to blame to Mr Webber for the Kaddish for Gaza event — a demonstration held in Parliament Square in which many young, left-leaning Jews said the mourning prayer for 62 Palestinians killed in clashes on the Gaza border earlier this year.
This triggered outrage — and online abuse of the participants — as Hamas had said 50 of the 62 were its members.
Reform Judaism branded the abuse participants suffered as “misogynistic and violent”, while Marie van der Zyl, the Board’s President, issued a plea for unity within the community.
Mr Pitch tweeted to Mr Webber: “Oh hello parliament sq seems empty you gonna organise yours Nazi youth to say Kaddish again for humus [sic] terrorists?”
In response, Mr Webber said he opposed the Kaddish for Gaza event.
Mr Pitch replied: “I recall you refused to condemn that despicable event and even tried to justify it.
“Can grass me up to whoever you want, you kapos all the same.” The word “kapo” refers to concentration camp prisoners who were put in charge of others by the Nazis and is considered an offensive term for Jews.
Earlier, Mr Pitch sent a screen-shot of the Wikipedia entry for kapos to Mr Webber. The Twitter exchange came about after Mr Webber confronted Mr Pitch for tweeting mocked-up images of Jeremy Corbyn in Nazi uniform to several deputies and Jewish organisations.
After the JC made enquiries about the complaint, a spokesperson for Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue said on Wednesday: “Nick has offered his resignation as our shul’s representative to the Board of Deputies and we have accepted his resignation.”
The Board confirmed it had received Mr Pitch’s resignation. Mr Pitch declined to comment. Before he resigned, Mrs van der Zyl had told the JC: “While our current rules mean we cannot comment on any individual case, we guarantee that any complaint made will be dealt with the seriousness it deserves.
“As I have previously stated, it is incumbent on us to address each other with respect. At this time of uncertainty and political extremes, our unity is our strength.
“The Board of Deputies will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour or conduct.”