Dr Bharat Pankhania, the Mayor of Bath and Liberal Democrat councillor, has issued a full apology after sharing a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that falsely claimed the arson attack on ambulances operated by a Jewish charity was an Israeli false flag operation. The posts also suggested the fire was a case of insurance fraud, allegations that Dr Pankhania has now called “abhorrent” and completely disavowed.
Responding to the backlash, Dr Pankhania deleted the controversial tweets and posted a statement on X, expressing regret for his actions. “I have been made aware that I have reposted or replied to some posts which have never aligned to my values and beliefs, and which are abhorrent. I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself. I have of course deleted them, and I wish to apologise unreservedly,” he said.
The incident in question involves the deliberate burning of four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green, a London neighborhood with a significant Jewish population. The attack took place in the early hours of March 23 and is being investigated by police as an antisemitic hate crime. Two suspects were arrested on March 25 on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
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Hatzola is a volunteer-led ambulance service established within the UK Jewish community to provide emergency medical care to anyone in need, irrespective of background. The charity’s ambulances are vital in areas with high Jewish populations, and the attack has been widely condemned as an act of hatred.
The Mayor of Bath position is largely ceremonial, held annually by a councillor representing a local ward. Dr Pankhania has served as the councillor for Combe Down since 2019.