To say that to criticise the actions of the Israeli state…

This. As Dr Sharone Lifschitz (whose elderly father is still a hostage in Gaza) said, it's not like a football match where you just pick a team. There are human beings on both sides.

I'm horrified by the suffering of the Jewish people who were subjected to Hamas's atrocities on October 7th, and by the ongoing anguish for the hostages and their loved ones. But I'm equally horrified by the shattering of lives in Gaza and now in Lebanon, by the indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent people who just want to get on with their lives in peace.

It is absolutely possible to believe that the Israeli government is committing war crimes while simultaneously believing that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist groups. We can condemn both. Criticising one does not automatically mean that we are siding with the other.

I am only on the side of innocent civilians, regardless of their ethnicity, their beliefs or their geographical location. They are just human beings and I want the suffering to stop.

I accept that people have different views so I wouldn't not talk to someone or ditch a friendship- unless they went on about it and refused to accept I had different views.

I don't agree with the word genocide and also feel that Israel is being described as the aggressor when they were the victim of a terrorist attack. Israel is a democratic country, of course people have a right to think what they want but some of the words used ignore the fact it is a sovereign state with the right to protect itself as be the right to vote in the PM they want.

Someone said it upthread. It’s the fixation with Israel that reveals the antisemitism. It’s obsessed about by protestors and critics because it’s the only Jewish state.

The common thread in all anti-Israel and anti-US and -UK policy towards Israel is that the sole Jewish state and homeland is at issue.

There is no fixation on other conflicts or territorial disputes.

This.

I think the vast majority of people are anti war and anti innocent civilians dying no matter who they are.

Here’s a post I never thought I’d write. I am neither a friend of Israel, nor a supporter of the horrendous acts a year ago from Hamas.

but I want to focus on something more subtle but very important to understanding the region.

The psychology of Israel.

If you’re a nation state whose entire identity is based on historical reparation and an inherent need for security as the primary driver of political thought…. Then it’s no surprise we are where we are.

Israel’s historic annexing of land such as the Golan Heights is born out of fear and a need to control its surroundings. It is a nation with national service, a fearsome security force, and an in built fervour around needing to defend its entire existence.

This is in NO WAY A JUSTIFICATION for what is genocide against Palestine and an ethnic group. I abhor this.

What I’m trying to say is, until Israel’s international enablers say “how much does self defence become aggression and genocide?” Then Israel will always, inexorably be able to rebut all accusations of genocide, due to the fervour around its existence and need to protect itself.

The international community have to say at what point does Israel have to be judged by the standards of others, and if they are judged so, does that automatically constitute “anti Semitism” because Israel has a particular unspoken right to commit international criminal acts in defence of its existence?

Fair point

No and they actively put them in danger when they hide where many civilians are.

Do Hamas care that they keep pulling their citizens into violence?

Do Hamas have any bunkers for their citizens?

Wow so this is the mentality we have. Disgusting.

You are right OP, but it's not just during this conflict that the accusation has been used to silence people. It's been happening for years.

But the Hamas attack was a one off attack, with limited reach, whereas Israel's actions have been allowed to escalate for a year and have impacted millions of people on a daily basis. Not to mention the decades of atrocities they've committed on Palestinians prior.

Can you really not see the difference and why he would post about the latter? I think it's you who should be questioning yourself.

Of course it's not anti semitic, there's thousands of Jewish people criticising what's happening in Gaza at the minute, they're obviously not anti semitic are they

I Was going to reply to this but if OP and others still want to pretend that antisemitism doesn’t take place “when criticising Israel” there is no point. I’m tired of trying to reason with brick walls.

I’m going to enjoy my day and be grateful for my children and our thriving Jewish community in these hard times.

Am Yisrael Chai.

I agree but many don't. A key point to me, is the fact that many Jewish people themselves criticise what Israel is doing. Are they, themselves, antisemitic? Our locals Jewish leaders and Imams have joined together to call for an end to Israels disproportionate actions. Will people claim the Jewish leaders are antisemitic?

As I said on another thread the amount of time it took for the UN to speak out on the rape and sexual violence that happened on 7th October says what they think of Israel.

You believe the UN is anti Israel, or anti Israeli actions?

I dont thin the UN is anti Israel

Proof????

The UN is anti-Israel?
Ridiculous concept

Where are the widespread protests against Afghanistan? 🤔

Criticising is fine but if you’re relentlessly focusing only on Israel in a way that you wouldn’t for any other country then you ought to be taking a look at yourself imo.

I know a guy who kept silent after the Hamas attacks because (as he explained it) that was the appropriate way to mark such things, but has posted something condemning Israel’s actions virtually every day since then. Many of those would be just about valid on their own but come on, after 365 days in a row how can he not see what’s become of him?

Nine people "may have " been involved there was no definite ruling on their involvement. Nearly 13000 employees work in Gaza which is a huge number.

Op Holding Israel to account for the same actions as you would other countries is not anti semitic. If my own country killed and bombed civilians indiscriminately I would be the first to criticize and protest.

UNWRA staff participated in the massacre on 7 October.

Criticise the actions of the Israeli government all you like. Plenty of us do. Try not to be racist while you’re at it and remember that this isn’t a binary right/wrong situation and your conscience will be clear.

You can be anti the Israeli government and pro ceasefire in Palestine and Lebanon and at the same time condemn Hamas and their atrocities on the 7th of October as well as fighting anti semitism. Many people get confused and think you have to take “a side”.