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.

I am so sad to read this. I hope the perpetrators are caught. As somebody above said, I would have no idea what religion people are and really don't care. Just don't get it.

I'm an atheist, & it breaks my heart to see what other people do - and have always done -in the name of religion.

My wedding was at the height of one of the wars. Best friend was Jewish, new BIL was a Muslim. Both highly-educated, intelligent people & they discussed how much they had in common .

What is actually wrong with you, @britsy? Why the fuck do you think it's okay for people to attack Jews on the assumption they might agree with the Israeli government? My friend fucking doesn't, and her car has had its windows smashed in. Funnily enough the vandals didn't knock on her door to ask if she supports the Israeli government.

You're a twat.

@Britsy

Your comment was awful. I’m of the view that there are innocents and aggressors on both sides but it is fundamentally cruel of you to lay this at the OP’s door.

NO ONE should feel frightened trying to live life. It’s a basic human right.

The whole world is watching this unfold and rather than people rallying together you want to spread this discord here. Communities should stand by one another and that simple action can start at home with you.

The world would be a much nicer place if so

I am so so sorry this is happening and you are feeling like this.

I whole heartedly disagree with the actions of the Israeli government but I’m intelligent enough to separate that from the Jewish people wherever in the world they are. I’m so sorry there are so many who cannot and I wish safety for you and your family.

The world disgusts me sometimes. 💐

I’m a Muslim who is horrified by what I see Israel is doing in Gaza. But that does not in any way translate to antipathy towards individual Israelis or Jewish people.

I’m so sorry you are scared OP, but I’d like to assure you that I (and many other Muslims like me) will object strongly to any anti-Semitic comments should we hear them. This horror is about the actions of a government and not of ordinary people. All religions have people who are good, bad or somewhere in the middle.

I hope you and your family/community are ok.

I am so sorry you feel this fear, and I don't think you are wrong to be very worried

I wish I knew what the answer was to stop absolute arses being absolute arses.

OP, I am so sorry to hear this, it’s so upsetting to hear. I hope you are able to switch off a little for Shavuot.

I'm so sorry op.

@DoingItMyself

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

Leave and go where? Why should she have to leave her home?

I am so sorry op. I abhor violence anywhere.
Are there things we can do to help? (Obviously besides being supportive etc )

@Britsy what do British jews have to do with the actions of the Israeli government?

@Annoymoususer

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.

If ops Hasidic it’s quite obvious.

There’s an Hasidic community near my grandmothers so I grew up seeing them.

@Emanchego so you think the op should be beaten, abused and frightened then?

Just because she is Jewish?

It is completely, totally, revolting and unacceptable. Hopefully the culprits will be rounded up, rapidly charged and remanded for hate crime and inciting violence and this will serve as a strong deterrent to all.

OP

I have no idea what a hasidic community is so wouldn't be obvious to me. I'm from an area that's Catholic so don't encounter other people's religions often unless it came up in conversation

@Emanchego

Thinking more of Palestinians tbh.

First, Israel has the right of self defence.

Second, even if it wasn't the case (and it is) that it was self defence, it's nothing to do with British Jewish people. Or do you blame all Muslims for the London and Manchester and terrorist attacks?

@Annoymoususer

I have no idea what a hasidic community is so wouldn't be obvious to me. I'm from an area that's Catholic so don't encounter other people's religions often unless it came up in conversation

Okay well you probably don't need to use this thread to wonder how one spots a Jew.

I think you should read this book hatsoffaith.com/ @Annoymoususer

I’m so sorry 😞, no-one should be on the receiving end of this kind of abuse. Unmumsnetty hug 💐.

If a Jew believes that their government is right to excute genocide (you cannot call it war because one side doesn’t even have an army) then they shouldn’t be totally surprised - not saying that it’s right at all btw - at the feelings of some of the public right now.

That's just daft. OP is a British citizen. Her government is the UK government.

Op I’m standing in solidarity with you.

It should go without saying that attaching a Jewish person for being Jewish is and always will be a racist hate crime.

I am slightly raising my eyebrows at those on here saying Jewish people are “welcome” in the UK. I know it’s well meant, but Jewish UK nationals are not tourists or visitors, they are UK nationals and residents just like those from all other religious groups are. They ARE the UK, just as we all are and we all deserve to live without fear.

to you op and sending you support and virtual sympathies.

@Emanchego

Thinking more of Palestinians tbh.

Only capable of one thought?