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.

How do people know your Jewish in the UK? Does it come up in conversation.. Because I couldn't pick out someones religion unless they told me specifically.
And as for rape threats they should be taken seriously that's a disgusting horrible threat to make towards anyone. Honestly those people making those threats are pure weirdos.

I’m so sorry op. It is absurd that you are being targeted. And awful. I’m so sorry. Dh and I were talking about this yesterday and antisemitism in general including in Labour. I do not agree with what the Israeli government is doing at all. But to blame all Jewish people is terrible. It’s the same as equating Muslims with terrorists.

I'm so sorry. I'm Jewish as well (though not at all observant) and it is horrifying that individuals are being targeted.

I don't support Israel's current military actions or the acts that led up to the current crisis. Of course, I also condemn Hamas' firing rockets into Israel. I feel something close to despair about the situation at the moment.

I dont agree with the current actions of Israel in the slightest and am pro Palestinian but it's terrible that British Jews are feeling under threat here in the UK

@Annoymoususer Orthodox Jewish people wear items that mark them out as Jewish.

Sorry to hear this. It's not right.

I think anti Semitism is the reason my great grandfather's Jewish family converted in Victorian times.... over 130 years ago!!
So It's terrible that anti Semitism is still around so much now.

Jews around the world have had to worry about being the focus of the anti Semitic conspiracy theories of the QAnon anti mask / anti vaxx brigade; & now, have to worry about being used as scapegoats for the actions of Netanyahu.

British Jews, it goes without saying, are not in any way accountable for what action a foreign politician in another country takes.
It's as bad as blaming all Muslims for the actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan!!

Even many Israelis do not support Netanyahu.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. Leave if you'll be safer elsewhere.

I'm so sorry OP. It's so awful. I utterly and completely condemn any negative actions towards or attacks on Jews, here or anywhere. I think it's outrageous and anti Semitic to think that any jewish person bears any relationship to the government of Israel's actions merely because they are Jewish and I stand in solidarity with you

A Muslim led food bank I work with in Manchester has spent the day posting supportive messages for Jewish people all day in response to some of things they have seen. The majority of people are good.
I hope you feel safe it is awful that you don't. In part this is borne from years of any criticism of Israel being deemed as anti-Semitic when it just isn't.

I am really sorry to hear this. Even more disappointed that its happening in my home city of Manchester.
Please, please do not feel the silent majority feel any hatred or blame towards British Jews for Israeli policy.
The Facebook comments are disgusting.... No wonder people are worried.
I sincerely hope this is quickly quashed and you feel safe again. Agree with previous poster.. I hope the bigots do not force people out...

@Britsy the OP isn't responsible for the foreign conflict. She scared about where she is right now. People conflate Judaism with Zionism, which is incorrect.

OP your post makes me incredibly sad.

Whatever people think about what’s going on at the moment (and I’m not expressing a view one way or another) it should absolutely never be the case that Jews feel unwelcome or even worse unsafe in the UK.

Before the last few years I had been lucky never to see anti semitism in the UK, now it seems to be a frequent problem. I can only hope it will improve.

Hopefully the responses on this thread and the reaction of most people to any intimidation or violence against the Jewish community will help to reassure you that those perpetrating these attacks are an unpleasant, unwanted minority and that most UK people are very happy to have Jews as our neighbours.

Stay safe x

@Pinchoftums I'm so glad to hear the food bank is sending supportive messages....

Yes very scary. My community are all feeling it.

I am so sorry to hear this OP. You are not alone

@Britsy I’m sure you’re just trying to be provocative.

As others have said the fact that many Palestinians are scared does not mean that British Jews aren’t also scared. It’s not a fear competition - that thinking means that no ones fear is valid unless they are the most terrified person in the world. Obviously moronic.

I’m so sorry that Jewish people are facing this here in the U.K.

I am sorry to hear you are the target of such hatred, OP. I abhor the violence that is happening in Israel/ Gaza and I would support a new peace initiative, although I think it's going to take a new Government on both sides to make it happen.

You don't deserve it and I hope the police will treat the anti-Semitism happening in your treat with the attention it deserves.

@Britsy what are you talking about? There is no Jewish government? You do realise the Israeli leadership has no jurisdiction over Jews not in Israel? Or are you confused about how it works?

I'm really sorry OP

I have Jewish friends. Several have already emigrated (Australia and New Zealand).

I'm shocked about scenes from London yesterday. Racism, abuse, violence, assaults on the police.

Why wasn't more done to stop it?