The founder of the controversial internet platform 'WikiLeaks', Julian Assange, has accused British journalists of a "Jewish conspiracy" against him, to deprive him of funds by Jewish donors. The accusation came in remarks published in the British magazine 'Private Eye', which was reporting on a phone call Assange made to the magazine's editor two weeks ago complaining about the coverage about his platform, which had leaked tens of thousands of classified documents, including US diplomatic cables.
'Private Eye' had published an article on the Russian Assange associate Israel Shamir, saying that he had denied the Holocaust. Assange called the article "an obvious attempt to deprive him and his organization of Jewish support and donations,” according to the 'Jewish Chronicle'. According to an editorial written by 'Private Eye' editor Ian Hislop, Assange now accused the satirical magazine of being “part of a conspiracy” led by “Jewish” writers. He specifically mentioned the editor of 'The Guardian' newspaper, Alan Rusbridger, and the paper's investigations editor, David Leigh. When Hislop challenged him on this claim, pointing out that Rusbridger was not Jewish, Assange allegedly replied that he was "sort of Jewish."
The Australian 'WikiLeaks' founder - who is currently battling an extradition request by Sweden where is wanted for questioning on allegations of rape - responded to the 'Private Eye' article on Twitter, saying that Hislop had "distorted, invented or misremembered" what he had said, calling his use of the term Jewish conspiracy "false in spirit and in word."
"We treasure our strong Jewish support and staff, just as we treasure the support from pan-Arab democracy activists and others who share our hope for a just world,” Assange tweeted.
