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.

Sorry, I'm not articulate enough.

No, you have not answered it. Israel is not the same as being Jewish. Conflating the issue is why people think it's acceptable to chuck bombs as French synagogues.

*Being pro Israel

I'm honestly not sure what you want me to say?

I'm not sure what you're trying to say. Are you suggesting posters on this thread (proponents of the entirely reasonable and mainstream stance that anti semitism is bad) support the person who posted a very non mainstream islamophobic conspiracy theory?

I missed that post on the other thread but I'm happy to condemn islamaphobia.

If there was a thread about rising islamaphobia in uk rest assured I would be very sympathetic and would not dream of posting '100000 killed by Syrians, where is the condemnation, where is the humanity?'

I think this thread shows much of the issue about anti-semitism in Europe. Many posters have gone into, clearly deeply held, concern over Israeli actions in Palestine. All OK things to discuss, but not the point of this thread. The issue under discussion has been lost and the 2 Jews who asked will you stand with us and when do we run? have been lost in all the noise. As someone said upthread, in 2014 in Britain, intelligent rational people are wondering whether they will have to abandon their homes, their careers, their friends and everything they have to escape with their own and their families lives.

That is what happened in 1930s, things crept along with a series of little changes and justifiable actions until one day the Nuremburg laws seemed reasonable.

I am Jewish and pro Israel. I believe that the IDF are doing what they think is right. I live in London my synagogue has increased security as it has had windows broken and swastikas drawn on the walls. my children go to a Jewish school and I wear the star of David visibly. am I now worried of course I am. the posters who are having the discussions of WHEN not if applys to me as well. I will be looking in to moving to Israel.

I am interested in why anti semitism is on the rise. I wasn't particularly aware of it, tbh, but am painfully aware of a rise in nationalism and far right political thinking in Europe.

If we are not allowed to discuss some of the possible reasons for this apparent increase, then the only way to respond to op, is yes or no. Because it is a closed question.

So, op, yanbu.

I'm not asking you to say anything. It looks like you're trying to justify anti Semitic behaviour because of the Israeli conflict. This has nothing to do with Israel and everything to do with people being racist arseholes. I abhor racism and I have seen undercurrents of Islamophobia on MN too and challenged it.

It does not look like that at all! Please please read my posts.

Abouttobeevicted, I'm wondering about Israel too. But I don't want to go there as it feels like we'd all be in one giant ghetto.

Abouttobeevicted do you feel any sorrow for the people of Palestine?

Associating these attacks (on European Jews) with Israel is victim blaming.

If you say women who get attacked are to blame for it because they are women, not because the attacker is violent and should be arrested, MNers would be strongly against it. I'm disappointed in MNers for the derailment and hideous victim blaming going on here, it is quite disgusting.

I condemn all attacks of violence by racist, ignorant bigots. I do not expect anything different from Jewish people than I expect from anyone else, and that is utter disgust at the actions of the IDF. People are not mentioning Gaza because they are anti semetic. It is because we are appalled at the loss of human life. Maybe my initial post seemed out of context, but having anti semitism accusations thrown constantly at those critical of Israel on other threads, it seemed relevant. I unreservedly condemn any violent attacks against European Jews. I must say I would like to see the same condemnation of the actions of the IDF from everybody who engages in a discussion where the Gaza situation is mentioned.

YeGods I agree.

"Associating these attacks (on European Jews) with Israel is victim blaming."

Indeed!

but Minty it does read like you are saying that antisemitic behaviour can be justified! you said "If we are not allowed to discuss some of the possible reasons for this apparent increase,[in AS]" You talk about "reasons" - the minute you say there is a reason for a behaviour you make it reasonable - don't you see that?

For anyone who has studied the history of antisemitism and religious antijudaism (not always the same thing) it is clear that there are not 'reasons' there are myths, fantasies and excuses which have been used over and over again. The power of those myths and fantasies is terrifyingly consistent.

voodoo abouttobe We've been thinking about Israel too. If I'm honest, I don't want to live there. I don't speak Ivrit and I have no family there, though DH lived there for a few years before we met, so there would be a kind of network. But if not Israel, where?

voodoo - I do agree but I don't want to live in a place where I'm not safe. I don't want another Kystallascht. I'd rather live where I know who the enemy is

Its a pity the people of Gaza don't have a place to live where they can feel safe.

Those of you thinking of emigrating to Israel, are you comfortable with your children having to do their military service there? Both in terms of the danger to them, and what they'd potentially have to do and what that would mean for them psychologically?
I'm not being goady btw, I'm genuinely curious.
I genuinely think all kinds of bigotry and intolerance are on the increase. I felt sick to my stomach at the most recent election results, not just in the UK but all over Europe.
And it sounds like Israeli society as also lurched heavily to the right.
Depressing all round really.

I feel that people use anti-Israel sentiment to justify anti-Semitism, which is completely abhorrent.

Jewish does not equal Zionist.

Equally being a Jewish Zionist does not justify one being a target for violence/discrimination.

Regardless of your political views, we live in a country where free speech is encouraged, and respecting other peoples views which you don't agree with is part of that.

A quote about Israel which I believe have a lots of truth goes along these lines 'The middle east conflict is like LSD, it distorts the views of everyone who comes into contact with it. One side becomes pure good, and the other pure evil.'

People forget that like all conflicts it is not black and white. People who are so quick to condemn Israel conveniently forget about the terrible actions of Hamas, or that there charter states their goal as th complete destruction of Israel

It is no shock to me that the same people who chose to share their perspectives on Gaza on coming here to share the same views. I am just wondering why except to derail?

I am very concerned about the rise of anti semitism in Europe. Some people are so rabid and lack the intelliegence to differentiate between Jewish and Israeli. Even on this site threads and comments have been deleted due to the shameful comments. I am so sad and will be watching to see watching to see how things unfold.