People on the Madleen to be deported, awaiting court.

@SharonEllis of course antisemitism is a factor (please read my post again) it just isn't the only factor.
Obviously attacks on British Jews just going about their lives, are totally abhorrent. Much like attacks on Muslims after 9/11 were abhorrent; or attacks on Irish people during the troubles etc. It's ignorant madness to attack people just because of something other people from that religion or race have done.

Forgive me, I'm rushing now, as busy day. So, I haven't got time to respond to the rest of your post now. I will if I remember later (pathological procrastination problem, so please don't be offended if I forget! 🤭)

Which brings us back to the link talking about AP.

When journalism becomes activism it loses impartiality, when teaching becomes politicised it becomes indoctrination. Emotional reactions are the most easy to manipulate.

Most of politics is public posturing and private manoeuvring trying to emulate swans serenely gliding across the water but paddling away below the surface. (Also not always good at telling the difference between roads and rivers which causes them a few issues - but I digress).

@WoodlandLove if antisemitism is not a factor why are so many Jewish people, including children attacked and abused on UK streets, why have jewish organisations had to increase their already considerable security? Have you ever been to a literature festival where every bag was checked by security? Go to Jewish Book Week. why are Jewish organisations suddenly struggling to recruit staff, why can Jewish artists not show or sell their work in mainstream arts venues? Why did this happen after 7 October when Jewish people here are nothing to do with Israel?

Try reading Everyday Hate by Dave Rich. Don't just fall into line with easy propaganda about Israel being a white settler nation. The Jewish people are from the Middle East. Israel is a richly diverse society. All this stuff about British colonialism doesnt wash frankly. There are loads of ex colonies in Africa, I don't notice that making British people care more about them particularly. There's a saying 'no Jews, no news' which has a lot of truth to it.

I don't know. That's my honest answer.
I know you and others will say because of antisemitism. I'm not so naive as to suggest there aren't some antisemites focusing on Israel. Of course there are.
But, I genuinely don't think that's the only reason. Most of the people I know are highly critical of Netanyahu at this point, including some Jewish people I know (I don't know many Jews just because of the area I live in) sincerely I don't think any of them are antisemites.
I guess it's partly the fact that Britain has such a strong history in the region. It's seen as the only democracy in the middle east, so it's held to a higher standard. Also, many Europeans emigrated to Israel in recent history, and still do. So, it just feels closer to home I guess.
Also, British colonial history makes it more uncomfortable for many British people perhaps?
I'm actually a Northern Irish protestant, so carry that with me. I live in England now, but carry a guilt around.
Many reasons.

So ask yourself why the obsession. Why is it in tbe news more?

Well, I don't know about robust views - more that I have a huge emotional response to the current state of the world.
Yes, I don't know much about Yemen at all. I do need to educate myself. But, it doesn't have to be either/or.
As explained above I think in the west we feel more connected to Israel, and for me that's the main reason it's on my mind more. So many more British politicians are vocally excusing/denying of the Gazan genocide than of than Saudi Arabia's actions. Also, quite simply it's in the news more. I can't speak for anyone else.

@WoodlandLove and what is it about Israel that makes you and others feel morally obliged to say 'not in my name'? Why do you not insert yourself into other conflicts? I dont really want to debate this as I have other things to do but you seem a thoughtful person so please do some reading. Listen to Jewish people and Israeli people.

You seem to have some very robust views while admitting that you don't really know much. Its fine not to know anything, noone can know about everything but Im intetested, Did you reach your conclusions on Yemen on the basis of research? Have you followed the conflict for the decade its been going on or is it a recent thing? Do you realise that malnutrition rates in Yemen have been among the worst in the world for yeaes? 5 million on the brink of famine? Half the population has no access to safe water? 4.5 mill internally displaced 80% of them women and children? For over a de ade any aid agency will tell you how hard it is to get anyone to care about it. No weekly marches for the children of Yemen.

Well, I don't know. It just seems to me, as someone in utter despair at the situation in Gaza, who was also horrified by Oct 7th that it's become difficult to not have things you say misinterpreted or whatever.
But, actually my comment about this board being polarised wasn't totally accurate on reflection. I've had a few lovely chats with like-minded pacifists in total shock at what is going on in the world.
Regarding the much repeated claim from Zionists that Israel is disproportionately criticised, when other countries have been guilty of similar things (eg, Saudi Arabia towards Yemen) and I've thought about this a great deal. Maybe in some cases there's an element of antisemitism, but I don't think it's just that, I really don't. I can't speak for anyone else, but I think, for me, it's partly because Israel is seen almost as an extension of the west. The UK and the US helped create the current state of Israel. I mean, I was on the huge anti-Irag war demo in 2003 as a young girl then (a little older now!) and nobody suggested we were anti-Christian (I am a Christian!) to be protesting actions of largely Christian governments. Britain arms Israel, I know it arms Saudi Arabia too; but it's a very different culture there, probably harder to reach or influence. I absolutely am just as upset that the UK arms Saudi Arabia. But, with Israel, I feel I have to make it more clear that it's not done in my name, iyswim? Also (and I admit to a good deal of ignorance) but the situation in Gaza does seem worse than Yemen? The fact that Gazans are being deliberately starved. I do think it's deliberate. I do think Netanyahu is a far-right genocidal dangerous maniac. I don't think that all Israelis are at all. What's happening in Gaza is so next level horrific, and supposedly backed by the west, that those of us in the west who are horrified do have a bit more of a duty to speak out.
But, I totally don't reserve my criticism just for Israel, not at all. Many governments are complicit, not least our own.

This is an important point. There are very few dedicated western journalists in Africa unlike those who live in the ME, especially those based in Israel. It means they drop someone in when something happens but they dont have the depth of understanding, which means they are reactive rather than seeing what is on the horizon. Africa is so vast and so complex and we hear so little about it in the west. Its partly why there is an empathy gap.

Apparently the complete version is available elsewhere. He also mentioned the number of AP journalists devoted to covering Israel compared to those covering the whole of Africa (nothing to report there obviously), and a brief comment on all the neighbouring countries attacking Israel (Iran gets a special mention).

Just another piece of the jigsaw.

Interesting. For those who dont look at it a reporter who was previously in Gaza on how since 2008 the media has complied with Hamas censorship and how that has shaped the narrative. He was running a story on Hamas militantants dressed in civilian clothing and following Hamas intervention that detail was pulled. Very relevant to the stats on deaths coming out of Gaza where combstant deaths are hidden in civilian stats.

On that subject this was an interesting listen from another thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Israel/s/ZtqQN5SvPN

@WoodlandLove Most people are not 'fanatically zionist'. Zionism is a very simple concept that the Jewish people have a homeland in Israel. Why would people need to be fanatical about something so basic and self evident?

However, in the face of obsessive, you might say fanatical, antizionists who dress their antisemitism up in the political cloak of being against zionism its impossible not to push back. Because we know what happens when racism grows. You say anything that is not critical of Israel, or pick out obvious misinformation or hypocrisy, and you are considered a fanatical zionist. And then, ust look at the pages and pages and pages of threads criticising Israel, obsessively monitoring Netanyahu's every utterance, compared to any other international subject or conflict or human rights related subject. And look more widely on social media. Everyone has to have an opinion on this subject only, not anything going on in the rest of the world. And tell me again who the fanatics are?

Exactly, the othet thread on here about the silly, sorry, heroic, boat people reached its max capacity quite quickly.

Disagree that people defending Israel on here are “fanatically Zionist”.

I had barely heard of the term before joining these debates on MN & wouldn’t have even known what the term meant.

Same … I don’t use much social media but MN gives the impression that all most posters care about is criticising Israel (apart from the few people defending Israel)

Post after post criticising Israel.

Very very few criticising Hamas, Iran or now this news has come out, Egypt.

Oh sorry, you've misunderstood. I meant generally speaking. I wasn't referring to our exchange at all!
I said it in response to your comment that nobody on MN had condemned Egypt and Libya. Only Israel. I was trying to say that maybe on MN that's the case as it's so polarised on this board that most people seem to be either fanatically Zionist or the opposite, only critical of Israel, even if other countries are also complicit in the genocide. That's what I meant! I guess I was trying to say that yes it's probably the case you haven't seen much criticism of Egypt and Libya on here for that reason. I don't read many of the threads here, so can't comment.

For me though, I think Egypt and Libya (the governments not the people) are now complicit in Israel's (the government not the people) genocide of innocent Gazan civilians (who are not Hamas). Outside of MN (I don't know about here) that's a very mainstream view.

OK. Fair enough. Unfortunately this board on Mumsnet seems to be very polarised. Not much nuance, or opportunity to discuss in a balanced way without being pounced on and accused of something or other! It's disappointing, and I don't post on here often for that reason.

But, there's been masses of criticism of Egypt, the Egyptian government, all over the internet.
For myself, as someone who is horrified by the situation in Gaza, I'm appalled by the Egyptian government at the moment. Appalled and shocked. I don't know much about Libya. I'll look it up.

With respect, I really don't think anyone thinks that 🤷‍♀️

There's considerable outrage.

This video is just a snippet -

https://youtube.com/shorts/wflx3w7C3uI?si=6_IFoY5ZLOddSs6M

The comments make it clear people are devastated by the Egyptian government. One comment (presumably from a Muslim) states Saudi Arabia & Egypt are more guilty than Israel.