Ulster Unionist Party Chief Whip, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has strongly condemned those who have attacked the Linen Hall Library on social media because it hosted an event to mark the centenary of the birth of Chaim Herzog at which the Israeli Ambassador was in attendance.
Steve Aiken OBE MLA, who attended the event, said:
“I am very disappointed and disgusted to hear that derogatory comments have been directed towards the Linen Hall Library because the Israeli Ambassador attended an event held on its premises organised by members and friends of the Jewish Community.
“Chaim Herzog was a proud son of Belfast and the event was organised to honour his memory; it also marked the considerable contribution to Northern Ireland that the Jewish Community has made and to talk about the strong links between Israel and ourselves. I was privileged to be able to attend the event to mark the centenary of Chaim Herzog`s birth. It is downright despicable that are those within our society who still seek to shut down free speech and use vile bullying tactics to try and achieve their aims. This smacks of the worst form of anti-semitism and should be strongly resisted. Their tactics are unacceptable in a modern western society and should be abhorred by all.
“The Linen Hall Library has come under attack before but it has stood as a beacon of learning and reconciliation for well over two centuries. That will continue to be the case.”