AIBU, to be concerned about increasing anti-semitism throughout Europe

[DikTrom]

Yesterday's Sunday Times had a number of articles about increased anti-semitism in the UK. Same is happening in the Netherlands and even more so in France and Germany.

Is Tesco boycotting Israeli produce? I highly doubt it. I know that they stopped sourcing their own brand dates from the West Bank. Is that what you are talking about?

vampire surely the right response would be to support all boycott actions that have a real chance of success. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Alot of us are currently aware of the situation in Gaza and want action. People who feel strongly about other injustices need to push for similar action.

Has anybody seen evidence that "Tesco are now banning some Israeli imports?"

I really want to find out if this is a fact or an internet lie.

Do you really not get it, Runes?

Some Jews support Israel, some don't. Some support Netanyahu, some don't. (Some really don't have feelings one way or another)
So, do you see, someone who supports Israel might feel anxious about banning Israeli imports.

Let's say UK decides to boycott Russian foods (possible) and your husband is Russian, you love Russian things, you really do. You might find the idea of a boycott scary, you would see it as a possible escalation, you might wonder what happens next.

BTW, Had we all not agreed that anti Israel is not the same as anti semitic?

I don't know where you got that idea from. No, we hadn't all agreed it, actually.

I think it is a lie.

it would be a really bizarre decision for an organisation who has not traditionally taken a political stance to start with such a divisive conflict. It doesn't make any business sense.

Re: boycott - I think Israel has to be treated separately from other rogue nations because it claims to be an enlightened democracy, and, it's a client-state of the world's leading super-power (USA). The other states listed are not.

john Clarify please. Do you think anti Israel is the same as anti semitic? ?

I will freely admit to not having read the full thread so may well be missing the tone (israel/palestine) but the rise in anti 'anything that doesn't tick the desired box' is concerning me. The huge wave of right wing facism frightens me to the core from anti semitism, racism against eastern europeans and the racism being shown in eastern europe too. It seems to be coming from all corners in that horrible divide and rule tide that seems to rise in tough times.

Looking back at last century it makes me fearful of where it will end for all of our sakes.

And btw john I'm in a mixed marriage in NI, I really don't need to be patronised. I've a fair grasp of these types of issue unfortunately.

lovelyboots I don't really get your point, sorry I might be being dim. How should Israel be treated differently?

I agree runes but they are all innocent people dying, it's just some people are focussing more on Israel than other countries.

If there is no evidence for "Tesco banning Israeli imports" then why do the people who support the actions of the State of Israel keep spreading it?

I am finding the term 'anti-Israel' a bit confusing. Is it meant to mean anti the existence of Israel? To me I'm afraid that does seem like antisemitism. I know people will argue that it isn't but I can't really see how you can walk such a fine line. Or does it mean anti israeli people? Again, I would class that as antisemitism. Does it mean anti israeli government policy? That's absolutely fine.

I know vampire. I'd love all injustice tackled worldwide but I think the reason that people are more about Israel is because the Western powers are complicit. I suppose people therefore feel more strongly as they are appalled at the idea that their own government has not acted appropriately.

I'm not sure they do pigletjohn

I don't know, Piglet.

Runes, my posts are clear on this issue (on this thread and others I think(?) scroll back if you're interested.

People are focusing on Israel because our government is supporting Israel.

Also, please leave Syria out of this. Do not use the dead there to justify or obscure what is happening in Gaza. The Syrian people would be revolted at being used in such a way. Stop it.

travelling I can't speak for everyone but for me it is anti Israeli government policy. I totally condemn any acts of violence against Jewish people or any people based on their religion. As I've said being from NI I'm only too aware of where ignorance and bigotry can lead. I do feel however that in speaking out against the Israeli gov and the actions of the IDF accusations of anti semitism get flung around unfairly.

Obviously a boycott of Israeli goods does not compare to the physical terror of Kristallnacht but I do think the basic motivations are similar. My grandmother(same one in photo) owned a music shop up until she died. My grandfather's family were also shopkeepers. Perhaps this leads to bias on my part but I just don't think it's fair to take out political frustrations on people living in another country especially if you don't know their personal politics. For the same reasons that I oppose a ban on Israeli stuff, I also am against a ban on Iranian goods or whoever the enemy de jour is. Trade and production (and the associated jobs) is one of the best ways to avoid conflict...

Unfortunately some people want conflict though. For the same reasons I am quite mistrustful of the motivations of those who advocate boycotting Israel, I think the idealogues behind the scenes who want to ban goods from Iran etc also have nefarious motivations.

Oh, it isn't real? Good.

mimi - did you think the same about a boycott of South African goods?

Does anyone think the Miliband bacon sandwich incident was not only a way of trying to make him look like a man of the people rather than a North London intellectual, but also a way of trying to (cynically) win votes by distancing himself from his Jewish ancestry? I think anti-semitism runs so deep in some sectors of society, as does racism of all kinds, that his advisors felt compelled to advocate that PR disaster.

Thoughts?

Gosh I was born (not raised) in Syria (Daraa).

There is NO justification for Gaza or Israel. Both governments are shit. Israel is a democracy and therefore Israeli voters have a chance to change the situation, but like, imo, Iraq, and like what is happening in Syria, the start was handled badly and the fall out will last for decades.

No Rose, at least not any reasonable person.

If you look hard enough and long enough you can find an excuse for calling someone anti-almost anything. But please don't.

I must admit that it didn't cross my mind at all, whatever I think of Ed Miliband. But that's a whole other thread. I do believe that antisemitism is in politics though, just like lots of other forms of racism.

I remember that there was a report published a good few years ago now, maybe around 2007 by an APPG that looked into this in some depth. The conclusion was something like all forms of racism are alive and well inside parliament, but antisemitism is seen as acceptable and so often goes unchecked, particularly on the left where a strong anti-israel bias.