Protest Greek island.

Awful.

People supporting this are part of thd bigger problem. They wont see that though. Blind to their own racism and anti semitism

💯 true. I wish people would realise this.

That'll really help the people of Gaza. Attacking someone at the Warsaw Jewish Culture Festival while he was praying for peace.

Do the people supporting these protesters also think this is acceptable?

https://tvpworld.com/88698634/israeli-singer-david-dor-attacked-with-red-paint-by-pro-palestine-protestors

Actually given the shitshow that was the Coldplay thread, they probably do...

My apologies (sincerely) that I'm not mincing my words, when offering a response based on my understanding and interpretation of yours (which could be mistaken). And not least given that we're talking about an issue that affects your history, and your family's history, in a way that it doesnt mine.

By way of explanation and not argument - I read your comment "It is good to see non violent protest as these abuses cannot continue" as an endorsement of the protest.

While physical violence didn't occur, the threat of it was sufficiently present that the ship had to turn away. I dont honestly read that as non-violent; its a bit like how an armed robbery might not result in being shot, yet the threat still makes it an act of violence.

Even if it can (sadly and wrongly) be expected that Israel's actions will stoke antisemitism, I don't find it morally acceptable - and that becomes even more pronounced when the victims of it include so many children.

I would be interested for your perspective on why you dont consider this incident racist and how you think it likely to be a good/productive thing (if that isnt putting words in your mouth).

Racist? My family background is Jewish and I lost relatives in the holocaust. I just won’t stand by while a State commits gross violations of IHL.

Yes to never again. Here‘s the thing, IHL has to be universal for it to be respected and work.

Yes to the prosecution of terrorists who committed crimes on 7 October.

This gross distortion where a sensible comment is described as racist or shut down, as if it was extremism, really harms the whole debate.

The article you posted said the ship was turned away but, on reading around, it does seem that it made the decision to turn away was made by the tour's operators due to the risk of violence. I'm not sure thats an important distinction, though?

In any event, the protestors targeted abuse at a bunch of Israeli citizens (including hundreds of children), because they are Israeli and, most likely, Jewish. Their actions including displaying banners that implied the ship's occupants would go to hell (basically calling them evil, because they're Israeli Jews, so its inherent apparently).

I don't think I could ever rationalize myself into thinking that racially abusing children is okay "for the greater good" but its a moot point because this isn't doing any good. Its more of the same old antisemitism that, for many, justified and continues to necessitie Zionism, and which is a major contributor to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

A bit of a segue but it does remind me of Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib’s recent appearance on Surrounded (on YouTube, upside title is 20 Protesters vs 1 Palestinian).

For those who haven't seen, Alkhatib is a Palestinian, born-and-raised in Gaza (moved to the US as a refugee), who lost 32 family members there, and is now a human rights activist.

He is highly critical of Israeli policy but a believer in a two-state solution (and thus is also a fierce critic of Hamas). He thinks the people of Gaza are best served by a pragmatic peace process, and that extremism on both sides of the debate is an obstacle to peace and only perpetuates Palestinian suffering.

If you watch the video, you'll get to see 20 (so-called) Pro-Palestinian activists, seemingly with no Palestinian heritage between them, spend the best part of 2 hours shouting over him, refusing to shake his hand, and basically heckling him for prioritizing peace, and the well-being of the Palestinian people, over "defeating Israel".

It's so unbelievably frustrating that so many so-called "allies" of the Palestinian people seem to think that displaying their anger, without care or restraint (and often deliberately in the most provocative way they dare), somehow is more important than trying to actually support a peace process.

I guess that's the privilege that comes with watching a conflict on TV and social media, rather than having to live it.

Still, I wish someone would have taken the time to tell those scumbag protestors that, even if they really, really hate Jews, their need to express that is not of more immediate importance than the lives of people in Palestine.

Even if you're inclined to support this type of racism, it isn't going to be productive.

It does not excuse Israel's current actions, but its undeniable that a signficiant motivator of those actions (and much of the Israeli public support therefore) is trauma resulting from past antisemetic discrimination (violent and non-violent), and the fear of its continuance.

Refusing to allow Jewish, Israeli citizens to even set foot on your land, because they are Jewish Israelis, just feeds into that.

People should protest Israel's actions but targeting Israeli civilians or Jews living outside of Israel, using slogans with violent or genocidal connotations, denying antisemitism (all fairly regular features of the Palestinian Solidarity movement) just serves to inflame and perpetuate the situation.

I don't think non-Palestians who do any of that stuff are good allies. Those who have the privilege of living in safe and stable countries (particularly the UK, given its role in the history) have a duty to conduct protests in a constructive manner, aimed at achieving peace.

People are right to be angry and horrified but the reckless and self-centred manner in which many choose to demonstrate it is far more likely to continue Palestinian suffering, not end it.

(And, y'know, being racist is bad).

There are gross and persistent IHL violations. Many countries are supplying weapons. Many countries have involvement in food aid (even if at the donor level). It is good to see non violent protest as these abuses cannot continue.

Yes, that's true - the UK at least doesn't stop Jewish people from entering.

I think your reaction to this reality being presented to you says a lot…

no i dont, but it’s relevant to some parts of this conversation and felt apt given some comments.

An appalling and obvious instance of racism.

Does it matter whether it's antisemitic, racist or bigoted? Which of the three do you find acceptable?

If I were, for example, to see a group of Muslims being targeted by a mob, I wouldn't stop to pontificate if it were their religion, race or nationality for which they were being targeted. I'd simply know it was deeply wrong.

Wouldn't you

I wonder what you would have done differently when confronted with a potential suicide bomber on a tube train that day.

Best not to derail the thread further though eh?

Still not relevant to the thread subject.

That's not what I asked in any way.

Why is it automatically anti semitic to target an Israeli?

It would still be racist. Bigoted. Harassment. You are targeting a group based on their national identity.

I am acutely aware of the specific circumstances. I lived in the area at the time, all us locals were aware especially with the MET police and their less than stellar record in dealing with minority communities.

Remember that Jean Charles was suspected because of his "Mongolian Eyes" and there was a de facto shoot to kill policy at the time.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/13/jean-charles-de-menezes-death-metropolitan-police-20-year-anniversary-yasmin-khan

@Voxon could you answer my question from earlier please?

Why don't you Google, "what does targeting people based on their religion, race, sexuality or nationality mean?" I can't be any more clear than I have been and I expect you understand perfectly.

I presume you are unaware of the very specific circumstances of Jean Charles tragic death.

In case you were..
7/7/2005 (the day after London euphoria at the olympic bid win) 4 suicide bombers, 52 deaths, 800 injuries.
21/7/2005 4 slightly less competent idiots tried to replicate that, failed, and went on the run.
22/7/2005 JCdM was mistaken for one of these fugitives, a potential suicide bomber and the protocol was to 'neutralise' that possibility. This sort of chaos and horror are what wannabe terrorists aim for. The investigation has been televised to paraphrase an interesting song.

Not really a comparable scenario

btw not just muslims after 9/11, but that's how terrorists like it, distrust & division. Better not to buy what they're selling.

Don't forget Jean Charles de Menezes, murdered by the MET police in 2005 in Stockwell Station.

And all the Muslims targeted after 9/11 or the racially motivated riots (with actual physical violence last year).