Conspiracies of Israeli involvement in Honduras coup

A new conspiracy theory that suggests the Israeli government had a hand in the ousting of Honduras President Manuel Zelaya is making a Jewish civil rights group concerned and wary of anti-Semitism.

Variety of different rumors have been circulating that the Israeli government and Jews were involved in this summer’s ousting of Honduras President Manuel Zelaya and now a Jewish civil rights group has expressed concern over these conspiracy theories, according to the Associated Press. The United States-based Anti-Defamation League organization alluded to statements made by the former Honduras President and David Romero, supporter of Zelaya, director of news radio station Radio Globo, which was, incidentally, closed down by the interim Honduras government and President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez. Many of the accusations made involve Israeli soldiers being involved in the coup d’etat and working with the troops who back current President Roberto Micheletti. The rumors also suggest that Israel provided forms of tear gas that was used at the embassy. However, the Micheletti government has denied any Israeli involvement. Journalists in the region have also said there has been no evidence of Israeli assistance. The Jewish group has also taken a dislike to Pres. Chavez’s recent comments at the United Nations that accuses Israel of being the only country to recognize the current Honduras comment. Micheletti has, once again, denied such allegations. Chavez has previously criticized the nation of Israel and its policies but has claimed he is not anti-Semitic. ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman released a statement on Sunday, according to USA Today, “We know from history that at times of turmoil and unrest, Jews are a convenient scapegoat. And that is happening now in Honduras, a country that has only a small Jewish minority.” Responding to an ADL copy, according to Yahoo! News, Zelaya said, “As a human being and president, I call on all Hondurans to abstain from making any anti-Semitic comments.”