Former UKIP leader suggests that "Jewish lobby" with their "money and power" have disproportionate power in the US.

Farage says Jewish people have influence beyond their numbers in America.

Comments lead to accusations of engaging in antisemitic tropes.

Farage was speaking during his LBC radio show.



LONDON — Nigel Farage has been accused of spreading antisemitic tropes, after suggesting that the "Jewish lobby" has a disproportionate influence over American politics.

Speaking about the ongoing investigations over Russian involvement in US politics, the former UKIP leader said that there are other "foreign lobbies" that were "very powerful" in the US.

"There are about six million Jewish people living in America, so as a percentage it’s quite small, but in terms of influence its quite big," Farage said on his LBC show.

"They have a voice within American politics, as indeed do the Hindu groups and many other groups in America. But I don’t think anybody is suggesting that the Israeli government tried to affect the result of the American elections."

Asked by a caller whether US politicians were "in the pockets" of Israel, Farage replied:

"In terms of money and influence yes they are a very powerful lobby."

He added: "There are other very powerful foreign lobbies in the United States of America and the Jewish lobby with its link to the Israeli government is one of those strong voices."

Farage was accused on social media of spreading anti-semitic tropes.

"Nigel Farage just gone full conspiracy on @LBC. "Jewish lobby"... "with its money" "has lots of influence on American politics," tweeted Labour councillor Adam Langleben.

Watch Farage talk about the "Jewish lobby"

Farage's role as a host has caused considerable disquiet among his LBC colleagues, with one telling Business Insider earlier this year that Farage now risked "damaging our journalistic brand."

Farage has been accused of making a series of false statements on the channel.

Management at the station believes that the continuing controversy surrounding Farage is a "price worth paying" for the attention he gathers, however, sources at the station say.

Others disagree however and are comparing his situation to that of his recently-departed fellow-host Katie Hopkins.

LBC ended its contract with Hopkins following controversy over a tweet in which she called for a "final solution" following the Manchester terror attacks.

Hopkins' tweet led to a successful social media campaign led by the writer and activist Owen Jones for her to be sacked from LBC.

"The fear is that he is going to be the next Hopkins," one LBC source told BI.

"If they can force her out, why not Farage?"