I'm a scared British Jew

[Elladisenchanted]

As I'm writing this, I've had another whats app messagw asking for prayers for a rabbi in London hospitalised, who has just been beaten up. I'm scared.

I'm getting messages from my synagogue and kids schools about walking in groups for safety. Neighborhood group posting pics of cars where I live smashed up. People driving by waving Palestinian flags and screaming anti semitic abuse and entering shops intimidating people. This is Manchester not London, where it's even worse.
I've been sent screenshots of Facebook posts with comments like rape Jewish women. Rape their mothers. Rape their daughters. Not rape the Israelis. Rape the Jews. British Jews.

I'm preparing for the shavuous festival and at 8.50 pm I'll be turning off my phone for just over two days and be cut off from social media and news. But I'm dreading what I'll see when I go back online on Tuesday night. I'm sending my husband to the synagogue with my heart in my mouth. This isn't the first time. It won't be the last.

I'm the last of my British family still here and as much as I love my country I don't know how much longer I want to stay here.

Not sure why I'm posting this. Just feeling despair that this never ends.

Was trying to read through the thread more before I posted, but I got too annoyed.
Jewish people have been in Britain for centuries. They aren’t guests to be told they’re welcome, they just belong here. They are entitled to the full protection of the law, whatever their opinions on the actions of another country. I’m sick of people having to qualify their disapproval of antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli government. Antisemitism is abhorrent, inhuman and illegal. Full stop. No dissembling required.

I've been sent screenshots of Facebook posts with comments like rape Jewish women. Rape their mothers. Rape their daughters. Not rape the Israelis. Rape the Jews. British Jews.

Why would it be less distressing if people were threating to rape Israelis versus British Jews? None of this is acceptable. Wake the fuck up, people!!!!

@Boood

Was trying to read through the thread more before I posted, but I got too annoyed. Jewish people have been in Britain for centuries. They aren’t guests to be told they’re welcome, they just belong here. They are entitled to the full protection of the law, whatever their opinions on the actions of another country. I’m sick of people having to qualify their disapproval of antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli government. Antisemitism is abhorrent, inhuman and illegal. Full stop. No dissembling required.

Well said. I agree 100%.

The Met Police has said it will step up patrols following the incident in London but Greater Manchester Police is completely silent along with Andy Burnham (who has had time to tweet about football today).
Maybe we need to pressure them into offering protection to the Jewish communities in and around Manchester given the current situation.

Likewise any other police forces?

@Ohthatsgreat

The Met Police has said it will step up patrols following the incident in London but Greater Manchester Police is completely silent along with Andy Burnham (who has had time to tweet about football today). Maybe we need to pressure them into offering protection to the Jewish communities in and around Manchester given the current situation.

Likewise any other police forces?

Shall we start a thread to put pressure on Burnham and GMP. Then email our local MPs?

Ok. I'm on it with my MP. I'll also contact Andy Burnham.

To expect Andy Burnham to stand up against anti semitism in Manchester? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4247503-to-expect-andy-burnham-to-stand-up-against-anti-semitism-in-manchester

@Boood

Was trying to read through the thread more before I posted, but I got too annoyed. Jewish people have been in Britain for centuries. They aren’t guests to be told they’re welcome, they just belong here. They are entitled to the full protection of the law, whatever their opinions on the actions of another country. I’m sick of people having to qualify their disapproval of antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli government. Antisemitism is abhorrent, inhuman and illegal. Full stop. No dissembling required.

Yes, well said.

Thinking of everyone caught up in the violence in the Middle East at the moment. I don’t agree with the Israeli government action there nor with the International community’s response because there needs to be a ceasefire and peace negotiations now, we just can’t go back to this warfare.
But it is horrifying to see domestic opportunists in the UK are using this as a stick to beat British Jews with. Our government must make sure this doesn’t happen. I will write to my MP but I’m also happy to take action in other ways if you can suggest them. Solidarity against anti Semitic intimidation and violence happening at home in the UK.

@Boood

Was trying to read through the thread more before I posted, but I got too annoyed. Jewish people have been in Britain for centuries. They aren’t guests to be told they’re welcome, they just belong here. They are entitled to the full protection of the law, whatever their opinions on the actions of another country. I’m sick of people having to qualify their disapproval of antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli government. Antisemitism is abhorrent, inhuman and illegal. Full stop. No dissembling required.

Yes, quite. I know it's well-intentioned but it's not normal to tell Mancunians (or Londoners, or whoever) that they're welcome in Britain, is it. Unfortunately it's making me realise that British Jews are seen as not quite British.

I have not read the whole thread but just wanted to send you @Elladisenchanted my support and the support of my whole family. British jews being afraid is an appalling situation

@CanOfLilt don’t mistake the aggressive hate fuelled behaviour of the few as representative of the many. Jewish people in Britain are 100% as far as I’m concerned and everyone else I know that I’ve discussed this with for that matter and we are furious about what is happening.

*100% British

"I’m really upset at the fact the pro-Palestinian protest is however being vilified by 4 men who decided to behave stupidly and aren’t actually representive of anyone" @DeepThinkingGirl**

A group of men driving around inciting racial hatred and rape with a megaphone on the streets of London but this is what you're upset about? Says it all.

The issue is that, as unpalatable as it is, antisemitism is absolutely endemic in the pro-Palestinian movement: Jeremy Corbyn was the ultimate example of it.

Just two days ago at the anti-Israel protests in London men were marching and chanting about death "to the Jews". The men in the video shouting for rape aren't a one off.

The irony is that the people this virulent Jew-hatred serves the least are Palestinians themselves. If you were all half as vocal at calling out Hamas for war crimes against their own citizens as you are vocal about Israel, peace would be a much more realistic proposition.

Instead all the pro-Palestinian movement cares about are Jews. (NB by no means is the movement made up solely of Muslims, as Corbyn demonstrates; in the same way those shouting the loudest from the TRA movement are rarely trans themselves).

But if you don't want to hear it from Jews, maybe you'll listen when an Israeli Arab says it:

@Labradabradorable

SingleDontWantToMingle I completely agree. Those of us who are not Jewish absolutely need to call this out.

My great uncles stood against Moseley's thugs in the East End nearly a hundred years ago. They weren't Jewish, just a pair of lads who knew right from wrong (and I couldn't be prouder to be their niece). And yet this still keeps happening and we must, must, must keep standing up to it, whether it's thugs hollering their way around north London, or more subtle yes-buttery. It's never, ever okay.

Thank you (and your great-uncles). ❤

Deeply sorry to hear this OP. I'm horrified, appalled and also scared on your behalf.

I have emailed my local MP and will also contact the mayor's office. The police need to step up and protect Manchester's Jewish people.

@SingleDontWantToMingle

To expect Andy Burnham to stand up against anti semitism in Manchester? [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am]]iibeingunreasonable/4247503-to-expect-andy-burnham-to-stand-up-against-anti-semitism-in-manchester

Thank you, @SingleDontWantToMingle for all your support on this thread and for starting to take action, which I have to say I am too distressed/ground down/scared to do at the moment.

Really disappointed in Andy Burnham's silence on this. As I was with Corbyn's. Really makes me reconsider my vote.

@DeepThinkingGirl - it wasn't just 4 men.
4 men have been arrested. Did you see the size of that convoy? Please don't minimise the threats that Jewish people are facing.

Sending 🌸@xxyzz

A group of men driving around inciting racial hatred and rape with a megaphone on the streets of London but this is what you're upset about? Says it all.

What does it say? Please spell it out for my thick mind?

After I have condemned, and reassured that everyone is going out of their way including public figures to condemn the actions of those idiots.. who have now been persecuted. They have been publically shamed within the pro Palestinian community. We don’t even know them aside from them being idiots..

But you choose to pick on the fact that I’m asking for their behaviour to not taint the rest of us who are in our thousands - to call me an anti- semite?

Says more about you than me.

Yes, I care about having my voice heard. And one persons suffering shouldn’t squash someone else.

I’m of Palestinian heritage, from the refugees of 1948. The conflict hits home. The protests are my human right.

Don’t vilify me, and my entire cause and humanity, just because you had specific lunatic individuals who

I haven’t shown the apathy towards you that you have showed towards me.

This thread is trashed with people trying to use single individuals as a way to vilify entire communities.. and then the complain is that people are using a representative government as an excuse to attack individuals?

Both are absurd and wrong. Both are idiotic. You are being no better than those inciting hatred against the Jews by choosing to exploit the OPs suffering to push towards an agenda. I’m not sure she would appreciate it.

Just because I haven’t been exclusive with my sympathy to one side doesn’t mean I’m against your rights as a human.

I think you’re looking to pick a fight. So feel free.

@KarensChoppyBob

Really disappointed in Andy Burnham's silence on this. As I was with Corbyn's. Really makes me reconsider my vote.

I stopped voting Labour because of their anti semitism.

I won't vote for them again until they have obliterated it.

@xxyzz

💐

Angry and sad. Not sure what else I can do.

@DeepThinkingGirl - I know, as the child of two refugees to the UK myself, how that experience impacts you.

I do genuinely wish the best for you and all those of Palestinian heritage or who were themselves refugees.

My argument is not with you. It is with the far too many racists like the nutters yesterday who try to use Palestine as a cause to attack Jews in the UK.

@DeepThinkingGirl

@Elladisenchanted set this up as a support thread to be commented on by people offering kindness and a virtual hand hold. When she returns to the thread this is what she would want. Please remember that MNHQ ( @HebeMumsnet) has already commented on the thread.