In a notable departure from silence on controversial family opinions, Lord Michael Farmer, a distinguished member of the British House of Lords and Candace Owens's father-in-law, publicly addressed Owens’s recent dissemination of blood libel theories. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Lord Farmer emphasized the Jewish heritage of Jesus Christ, highlighting his birth to a Jewish mother in a detailed commentary that indirectly criticized Owens's unfounded claims.
Over the past weekend, Owens had sparked significant controversy by suggesting an alternative history where the Holocaust's role in the establishment of Israel is minimized. Instead, she posited a conspiracy theory involving Catholics and Christians disappearing during Passover, their bodies later linked to Jews—a narrative strongly reminiscent of the medieval antisemitic accusation known as blood libel.
However, Owens attributed these acts not to Jews but to Frankists, followers of an 18th-century cult founded by Jacob Frank. She even implicated Leo Frank, an American Jew falsely accused and lynched over a century ago, further entangling her assertions with historical inaccuracies.
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Lord Farmer’s response was measured yet firm. He began by expressing his intention to clarify his stance on antisemitism and the Israeli military's actions in Gaza against the backdrop of Owens’s contentious remarks. His statement provided a personal journey through post-WWII Britain's atmosphere, recounting direct interactions with Jewish individuals that shaped his understanding and empathy towards the Jewish community. Farmer also shared insights into his Christian faith and its acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's Jewish identity.
Furthermore, Lord Farmer articulated strong support for Israel as a democratic state within an often tumultuous Middle Eastern context. He acknowledged Israel's right to defend its citizens against attacks while also recognizing the tragic circumstances faced by civilians in Gaza. His commentary concluded with an affirmation of his role as Christian Deputy Chair of the Council for Christians and Jews—a position underscoring his commitment to fostering understanding between communities.
This intervention by Lord Farmer not only serves as a rebuke to Owens’s divisive rhetoric but also as a reminder of the importance of historical accuracy and empathy in public discourse. It underscores the complexities inherent in discussions about antisemitism, religious identity, and national sovereignty while advocating for informed dialogue over sensationalist or unfounded allegations.
Here are Farmer's original statement
As a teenager, growing up in the wake of WW2, I became very aware of the cruelty meted out, before and during that conflict, against Jewish people – because they were Jewish. I found it impossible to comprehend how humans could, intentionally, be as cruel as possible to others. Whilst the general opinion in Britain was that it would never happen here, even then I thought ‘Really?’ and sensed it could happen anywhere. Such sadism lay dormant in the heart of everyone.
Then, as a young man, I worked with many Jewish people in the city: the boss in one of my first jobs had come to Britain on a Kindertransport. I often experienced kindness and thoughtfulness from Jewish friends as well, at a time when I had few close relationships. The best man at my wedding and life-long friend was Jewish.
I became a Christian in my mid-30s and became aware of the latent rebellion in my own heart against my creator. The bible says we all need a saviour because we all fall short of the goodness we aspire to and expect from others. We aspire to goodness because we are made in God’s image, and he is good. Jesus Christ is God’s son. He came into space and time as a Jewish man, he fulfilled Jewish law, his mother was Jewish, and his closest followers were ordinary Jewish men and women. He came to save us from the consequences of our rebellion.
I recently visited Israel and am a member of a UK-Israel support group but am very aware of the human heart and that no one group always acts with perfect intent and motivation. However, that does not mean there is never an aggressor who needs to be repelled. Israel is a rare example of a democracy in the Middle East, a liberal state governed by the rule of law. Of course, it has the right to defend its citizens when murderously attacked on its soil in one of the cruellest and most callous pogroms in history.
We cannot forget the large number of innocent hostages that were taken: many have died, and some are still missing. Israel faces an existential threat as Hamas, the terrorist organisation, has stated their intention to destroy it. And of course, the plight of civilians in Gaza is also utterly appalling but I see Israel has little option but to fight its enemy where it chooses to hide itself – in tunnels under key infrastructure and behind innocent civilians. A recent letter from international military leaders said that the Israel Defence Forces were acting in a highly accountable way in an extremely complex and difficult environment. We cannot forget that they have been forced to prosecute this war.
To conclude, I should point out that I am the Christian Deputy Chair of the Council for Christians and Jews. This was founded in 1942 as a bulwark against antisemitism, and our monarch has always been its patron.
Over the past weekend, Owens had sparked significant controversy by suggesting an alternative history where the Holocaust's role in the establishment of Israel is minimized. Instead, she posited a conspiracy theory involving Catholics and Christians disappearing during Passover, their bodies later linked to Jews—a narrative strongly reminiscent of the medieval antisemitic accusation known as blood libel.
However, Owens attributed these acts not to Jews but to Frankists, followers of an 18th-century cult founded by Jacob Frank. She even implicated Leo Frank, an American Jew falsely accused and lynched over a century ago, further entangling her assertions with historical inaccuracies.
Get the latest, most crucial news stories on the web – sent straight to your inbox for FREE as soon as they hit! Sign up for WayneDupree.com Email News Alerts in just 30 seconds!
Lord Farmer’s response was measured yet firm. He began by expressing his intention to clarify his stance on antisemitism and the Israeli military's actions in Gaza against the backdrop of Owens’s contentious remarks. His statement provided a personal journey through post-WWII Britain's atmosphere, recounting direct interactions with Jewish individuals that shaped his understanding and empathy towards the Jewish community. Farmer also shared insights into his Christian faith and its acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's Jewish identity.
Furthermore, Lord Farmer articulated strong support for Israel as a democratic state within an often tumultuous Middle Eastern context. He acknowledged Israel's right to defend its citizens against attacks while also recognizing the tragic circumstances faced by civilians in Gaza. His commentary concluded with an affirmation of his role as Christian Deputy Chair of the Council for Christians and Jews—a position underscoring his commitment to fostering understanding between communities.
This intervention by Lord Farmer not only serves as a rebuke to Owens’s divisive rhetoric but also as a reminder of the importance of historical accuracy and empathy in public discourse. It underscores the complexities inherent in discussions about antisemitism, religious identity, and national sovereignty while advocating for informed dialogue over sensationalist or unfounded allegations.
Here are Farmer's original statement
As a teenager, growing up in the wake of WW2, I became very aware of the cruelty meted out, before and during that conflict, against Jewish people – because they were Jewish. I found it impossible to comprehend how humans could, intentionally, be as cruel as possible to others. Whilst the general opinion in Britain was that it would never happen here, even then I thought ‘Really?’ and sensed it could happen anywhere. Such sadism lay dormant in the heart of everyone.
Then, as a young man, I worked with many Jewish people in the city: the boss in one of my first jobs had come to Britain on a Kindertransport. I often experienced kindness and thoughtfulness from Jewish friends as well, at a time when I had few close relationships. The best man at my wedding and life-long friend was Jewish.
I became a Christian in my mid-30s and became aware of the latent rebellion in my own heart against my creator. The bible says we all need a saviour because we all fall short of the goodness we aspire to and expect from others. We aspire to goodness because we are made in God’s image, and he is good. Jesus Christ is God’s son. He came into space and time as a Jewish man, he fulfilled Jewish law, his mother was Jewish, and his closest followers were ordinary Jewish men and women. He came to save us from the consequences of our rebellion.
I recently visited Israel and am a member of a UK-Israel support group but am very aware of the human heart and that no one group always acts with perfect intent and motivation. However, that does not mean there is never an aggressor who needs to be repelled. Israel is a rare example of a democracy in the Middle East, a liberal state governed by the rule of law. Of course, it has the right to defend its citizens when murderously attacked on its soil in one of the cruellest and most callous pogroms in history.
We cannot forget the large number of innocent hostages that were taken: many have died, and some are still missing. Israel faces an existential threat as Hamas, the terrorist organisation, has stated their intention to destroy it. And of course, the plight of civilians in Gaza is also utterly appalling but I see Israel has little option but to fight its enemy where it chooses to hide itself – in tunnels under key infrastructure and behind innocent civilians. A recent letter from international military leaders said that the Israel Defence Forces were acting in a highly accountable way in an extremely complex and difficult environment. We cannot forget that they have been forced to prosecute this war.
To conclude, I should point out that I am the Christian Deputy Chair of the Council for Christians and Jews. This was founded in 1942 as a bulwark against antisemitism, and our monarch has always been its patron.
