To think there are very few allies against Anti-Semitism?

People tend to associate Israel as state, with the Jewish people more widely. Sadly many people are not understanding that the actions of Israel are those of a state, not a whole people.

Its quite scary for many people that western governments aren't intervening to help the Gazans, & anti semites/hate groups prey on the fear and spread disinformation.

Yes, unfortunately this thread is an example of antisemitism.

That said, would you mind if we continue the discourse about what antisemitism is and is not? I do think one of the big problems with antisemitism is how poorly understood it is, to the extent that people (often non-hateful) engage in it without realizing.

Many members of all minorities are not necessarily visible as part of that minority

I think this is what PP was saying.
I don’t think they are coming from a place of ignorance or racism - some people I can tell are Jewish or Muslim from how they look. Others, I wouldn’t have had a clue unless they told me or I could infer it from something they said. One Muslim colleague looks Caucasian/white and a Jewish neighbour looks South American.
It just shows that Jewish people (and those of other religions) cannot and should not be typecast or judged as a group.

'Israel has a right to exist' - what does that mean in practice?

Most Jewish people in the UK are Zionist.

Whether they support the actions the Israeli government take or not is an entirely separate issue.

But we all know that criticism of Israel and of ‘Zionists’ - or ‘Zios’, as some use - is really just attacks on Jews and Jewish life.

Some will be, but they are the minority, IMO.

The vast majority of the comments I see are about Netanyahu himself, and no, that's not antisemitism. That's a direct reaction to his actions.

I hate him. I don't hate Jews.

I hate Trump. I don't hate Americans.

I hate Putin. You see my point.

Some Jews in the UK are Zionists and support Israel's actions.

However that does not excuse racist attacks.

I live in a rural area and people are quick to help out here but we moved from a city and people were happy to turn a blind eye there. I think they're so used to hearing stories of violence that they're fearful of getting involved.

I'm so sorry you went through this, OP and I do hope your kids are OK.

We are living in such fraught times and hatred seems to be flourishing.

How anyone could look at another person and make immediate judgment about them or take out anger due to the actions of others of their race or religion on a complete stranger is beyond me.

Racism is an awful thing.

You’re saying no one can criticise Israel.

And have spectacularly derailed OP’s thread in the process.

No, I’m right. The number of persistent critics of Israel who aren’t part of the anti-Israel, antisemitic industry is tiny.

All good, I gave it a quick google to verify, and I appreciate the knowledge shared.

Thanks, it was more for the poster you replied to.

I've never head "Pal" before, let alone used it, but if its a slur then I'll continue to not use it. Thank you for flagging it.

Zios a slur and so is pro-Pal.

They are Palestinians.

Say their name.

You are wrong.

Every time.

"Zios" is just a plain slur, coined by the KKK to mean all Jews. Even Corbyn has condemned it as such, but I still see left wing folk use it.

I do think that when many British folks condemn "Zionism" they do actually mean to condemn those who believe in the expansion of Israel's current borders. They usually don't realize that they are misusing the term.

I've seen people denounce "Zionists" as "murderers and baby killers". If you think that Zionists are those who want to annex Gaza, that might be a fair comment...but, as you know, that isnt what Zionist actually means, and what will actually be heard by most people, outside of the British-left-bubble is "if you believe Israel should exist as a Jewish state, in some form or another, you kill babies".

I also dont think most British Anti-Zionists realize they are essentially rejecting a two-state solution.

And ignorant!

Rubbish. It’s the plain truth.

No, all criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic.

Your views are hardline and extremist and highly dangerous.

No matter how many times you repeat this lie, you must be challenged. Every time.

Antisemitism on the far right is so overt and clear in it's that everyone can recognize it, and the vast majority condem it. It is fringe and will likely stay that way.

Left wing antisemitism isn't so overt, but its insidious, widespread and on the increase.

I'd even be a little reluctant to call many of the left wing folks "antisemetes", in that I don't think they actively harbor antisemitic attitudes, they just don't realize how frequently they engage in and/or support antisemitism.

This is a particularly pronounced problem within the British left (I think the fact that it has its own special definition of "Zionism" speaks to that).

In an ideal world that would be true.

But we all know that criticism of Israel and of ‘Zionists’ - or ‘Zios’, as some use - is really just attacks on Jews and Jewish life.

It’s fatuous to argue otherwise. The most obvious reason for that is the fixation of ‘anti-Israel’ campaigners on the one source of conflict that involves Jews and their homeland.

I don't see how we can. The sad truth is that we have created this low trust society ourselves. It's what we wanted.