Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson has claimed “the Jews” knew Donald Trump would win the US election.
Maria Zakharova told a chat show on Russian state TV that to find out what would happen in the future “don’t read the mainstream newspapers”.
“Our people in Brighton [Beach] will tell you everything,” she said, referring to a district of New York with a large diaspora of Jewish emigres.
Ms Zakharova said she had been to visit New York for the last UN General Assembly in September, reported Radio Free Europe.
Keen on finding out what Americans thought of the upcoming elections, she claimed the only way to do so was by talking “to the Jews, of course”.
At this, the studio audience reportedly applauded.
Putting on a Jewish accent, the 40-year-old said Jews had told her: “'Marochka, understand this – we'll donate to Clinton, of course. But we'll give the Republicans twice that amount'.
"That was it! The matter was settled, for me personally."
The diplomat’s remarks, made on 13 November, have been widely condemned.
Former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul wrote on Facebook: “Wow. And this is the woman who criticizes me for not being diplomatic.”
And Roman Dobrokhotov, a Russian opposition activist, wrote on Twitter: “Turns out the spokesperson (Ms Zakharova) explained Trump’s victory as a Jewish conspiracy.”
Exit polls suggest an overwhelming number of US Jews voted for Hillary Clinton in the election. A poll commissioned by J Street found 70 per cent opted for the Democratic nominee, with only 25 per cent voting for Mr Trump.
Courtesy The Independent