Police Investigate Social Media Post Depicting Maureen Lipman
Police are examining a social media post by a pro-Palestinian group that portrays Jewish actress Maureen Lipman with devil horns and a pitchfork.
The image was shared by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign as part of a petition aimed at cancelling Lipman's forthcoming performance in the play Allegra at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen.
The group accused Lipman of having a "long record of harmful statements about Muslims, Palestinians and Palestinian rights."
In response, the Campaign Against Antisemitism charity described the depiction as a "longstanding antisemitic trope."
The BBC has reached out to Lipman for comment.
Aberdeen Performing Arts stated that it does not affiliate with any political stance or cause.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:
"We have received a report which is being assessed. Officers are also liaising with partners and continue to proactively engage with the Jewish community."
Maureen Lipman's Public Statements and Views
In recent years, Lipman has publicly criticised other actors who have spoken out against Israel's actions in Gaza.
The former Coronation Street actress condemned "bleeding heartless liberals" in 2023 who, according to her, failed to criticise Hamas attacks in Israel, stating they should feel "shame shame shame."
As a regular BBC contributor, she protested against a BBC documentary about children's lives in Gaza after it was revealed that the film's 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
Last week, following the stabbing of two Jewish men in London, Lipman told LBC that she believed antisemitism in the UK had reached levels comparable to Nazi Germany in 1933.
She also advocated for a ban on pro-Palestine marches in central London.
Responses from Campaign Against Antisemitism and Context
The Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned the recent social media post about Lipman as "shameful" and attributed it to "Jew-baiting agitators."
"Discrimination against Jewish people has become normalised in the arts: it's now simply part of doing business as a Jewish creative in modern Britain. The only consolation is that Maureen Lipman knows that she enjoys the support of the Jewish community and is beloved across the country, regardless of what vocal Jew-baiting activists might say."
This controversy arises amid heightened concerns for London's Jewish community after two Jewish men were stabbed last week in Golders Green.
Police have declared the incident a terrorist attack, and the government's adviser on terrorism informed the BBC that attacks on Jewish people in the UK represent "the biggest national security emergency" in nearly a decade.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Statement
Aberdeen Performing Arts clarified that it does not endorse the personal or political views of artists performing on its stages.
A spokesperson added:
"On this occasion, Maureen Lipman is playing a character in a show that is touring the UK and our stages are in no way being used to endorse a personal or political narrative in this performance. As per our 'Everyone Is Welcome Here' ethos, we open our doors to all and ensure we create a safe space in our venues for everyone to attend and enjoy."
