To wonder if there has been a rise in Anti-semitism the UK?

[TheSoulCakeDuck]

This is a genuine question, I have no wish to start a fight or upset anyone.

I was watching Question Time last night and there was a very heated debate on whether there had been a rise in anti-semitism in the UK and the panel were talking about the police protecting synagogues etc.

This shocked me as it genuinely hadn't been on my radar at all but then I'm not a member of the Jewish community and a quick look at the census data shows in my town of just over 105,000 population 45 people identify themselves as Jewish and just over 2000 identify themselves as Muslim, Sikh , Hindu, Buddhist or other religion, so we are not exactly a diverse place.

So, is there a rise and is it across the country (QT last night was from Finchley)? If so what has changed (if anything)? If it is the case that this kind of thing is on the rise it dismays me hugely as we have so much to gain from being a tolerant society.

@sourdrawers how is a Jewish person meant to have a homeland if genetically they are more European white than an Arab. Of course, their religion ties them there, but due to mixing over thousands of years and conversions, anyone now can convert to Judaism and say Israel is their country?

What, because part of my ancestry is black Jamaican, could I kick a Jamaican out of their home and say this is my homeland get out! No it's wrong, AND when I am not a pure Jamaican.

Even worse still is that to say, anyone with black Caribbean herotage is to return to pre slavery days and say Africans get out, it's our homeland. And the slaves were sold for guns and taken from their country...

Hmm sorry but I just think it sounds like a disaster to me. I don't see the logic in it.

This war will never end, they will both get wiped out. I can't see peace although I want it on all sides.

Very few people in rl know that I was raised Jewish. Because of the outrageous stereotyping articulated by lulu. Did you stop to help the non-Jewish person? By posting a Daily Mail link you aren't exactly backing your argument really.

It's fine to pick on a religion about which you know nothing, though, isn't it.

I think we live in a society full of hatred where people are very quick to attack different minorities: Jews, Muslims, Eastern European immigrants, people on benefits and so on. I think any rise in anti Semitism his to be seen in that context. I don't think Jews are being particularly singled out. Last night the figures being quoted about attacks on Jews came from a Jewish charity. I'd rather rely on figures from the police. Tbh in all the years I've lived in the UK I've never heard an anti Semitic comment but I heard a lot living in the states especially New York so I'm surprised anyone would emigrate from England to the US.

The family in Manchester (Telegraph article) are aware of more anti-semitism and as I'm not Jewish I'll take their word for it tbh.

I'm aware of a lot of anti-Israel comments and have also noticed the rise of the conspiracy theorists.

This my personal experience of living in an area with a large orthodox Hasidic Jewish community.

FYI The male was lying on a pavement opposite my house who had been intoxicated by drink. Yes I happened to leave my flat and ask then realised he was intoxicated and OK just lying there...

I have seen these things with my own eyes, I find this sect alike the Amish very interesting and intriguing. I cannot say that they post any harm or risk to others, but I am upset of the apparent hostility and lack of community spirit I hbe witnessed.

Here is a guardian link www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-council-removes-unacceptable-stamford-hill-posters-telling-women-which-side-of-the-road-to-walk-down-9746012.html

It doesn't matter, these posters were on my road and disgusting. If that was a gypsy or a Muslim I believe it would of made headlines, but I do think the Jewish people are positively discriminated in British society.

I question the idea of Israel and the idea of a 'Jewish state' and I am well within my rights to.

I question a lot of things, politics, religions, race, from all corners of the world. I question arranged marriage within Asian culture, arranged marriage occurs in this sect aswell.. And in many parts of the world.

I question FGM, I question Arabs killing Sudanese people in Africa. A lot of topics and I also have opinions on them it doesn't mean I hate them it he or she.. There are lots of social problems in the world.

crescentmoon, I believe that Disraeli, despite his Jewish parents having him baptised, is still technically considered the UK's first Jewish prime minister. He was certainly considered Jewish by most people during his lifetime - and sometimes treated accordingly and subject to anti semitic attacks (not physical). Jews were actually excluded from Parliament until 1858.

lem73 if you seriously think that Jews were not booted out of the middle east during the 20th century I suggest you study a bit of history. The emigration/expulsions began in the 1920s, as did the problems in Palestine - the first massacre of Jews by Arabs was in 1920 and sadly things escalated into tit-for-tat after that. Obviously things got worse from 1947 onwards. I've read quite a lot about Jews in the middle east in an effort to understand the wider situation. I also met several elderly Iraqi Jews 20 years ago, all of whose families were forced to leave in the 1930s. If you think they "chose to leave" I could say that all Arabs "chose to leave" Israel when I know that's not true - some chose, some were encouraged by other Arab states to leave Israel, some were forced.

Also, since you don't appear to believe Jewish figures, please see the attached article quoting Metropolitan Police figures showing that anti semitic crime was up 94% last year. Will that satisfy you?

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11360772/Hate-attacks-on-Jews-soared-94-last-year-police-figures-show.html

By the way the current Jewish population of Morocco is approx 2,500 - and that of Tunisia is around 900 - hardly sizeable in either case.

sourdough just because i disagree with you, please don't accuse me of playing the anti semitism card and yes I call it a war when one side fires rockets indiscriminately at another country and digs tunnels in order to kill or kidnaps its citizens and that country then retaliates, albeit with better weaponry. Is Israel didn't have the Iron Dome, there would be a lot more Israeli casualties. I sometimes wonder if that would satisfy people.

It might satisfy people slightly if Israel gives back the land it has illegally stolen.

Define "illegally stolen" If you mean the setlements I agree they should leave them (and most of them are now actually lived in by emigrants from the USA I believe), but look what happened when they gave back the Gaza settlements - it's not got any better and frankly I don't think anything will satisfy some people.

Sorry Louise you really need to properly read what I was very careful to say. I referred specifically to the period 1920 to 1950 because that's what you mentioned and I then said that Jews were forced to leave Egypt en masse in the aftermath of the Suez crisis. Of course you've ignored my point that Jews lived and prospered for hundreds of years in the Middle East while they were being persecuted in Europe.
You've read lots and lots have you? Yes me too. You've spoken to Jews who used to live in the Middle East? Yes me too. I'm so impressed by your amazing knowledge on the subject.
You've also completely omitted to mention all the Palestinians who got booted out of their homes in 1948.

Attacks on jewish people were high last year because of the Israeli bombardment gaza. Historically the attacks have risen when israel had embarked on offensives against civilians. Just as attacks on muslims increased after 9/11, 7/7 and the hebdo attacks. This does not excuse the attacks but does contextualise the rise in figures.

All attacks on innocent civilians are abhorrent and I agree with the poster s who have said every marginalised or minority group seems to be under attack these days.

Re Galloway on question time, I do not think highly of George but he was treated appallingly on question time and i think he was very calm and dignified. The hecklers in the audience were an embarrassment to themselves and those they represent. The question should never have been allowed. For the first time ever I felt sorry for him.

lem73 I know what you said. you said "They were not booted out of anywhere between 1920 and 1950" . I have pointed out that they were. I am perfectly aware that until the 20th century they lived reasonably peacefully (not entirely, don't kid yourself). I also DID in fact mention the Arabs who were booted out of Israel and I quote "I could say that all Arabs "chose to leave" Israel when I know that's not true - some chose, some were encouraged by other Arab states to leave Israel, some were forced."

Obviously my "amazing knowledge" is better than yours since you don't accept that Jews had to leave Arab countries prior to 1948 despite it being a historical fact.

I wish everyone would be peaceful in the Middle East regardless of religion but I can't help but say I think it will end up with a lot of people being wiped out.

Israel has a very strong army, arms from the U.S.. Gaza and the Palestinians are backed by Hezbollah and the like..

i just think they are both as a bad as each other, because so many people have been killed and will continue to be.

Ptolemy So I can assume that I will continue to receive abuse for being born to a Jewish mother as Israel (a country I don't live in) has taken land. Really?! What logic! I'm sorry what Israel is doing does not "satisfy" you but racism is inexcusable.

I have been surprised to see reports of it, but i don't think I live in an area where I would see it.

If Jewish people are feeling threatened and reports of anti-Semitic behaviour have risen then it must be true, sadly.

I believe the Jews should have a homeland, Lulu31 as the rest of the world does not seem capable of not persecuting them. Expulsions, pogroms, death factories etc etc. However I do not in any way support Israel's violation of international law, human rights, all the and all the daily crimes being committed against Palestinians. Other countries run relatively peaceful multi-cultural democracies why not Israel?

I'm actually of Palestinian heritage. My grandad was born there, he saw some horrific things such as his grandparents being shot dead in front of him at the age of 12. His entire family had to flee.

Despite this, my grandad is not anti Semitic. Neither are my family. Or me.

Whatever your views on Isreal/Palestine (I won't disclose mine as they are irrelevant to the topic) there is no excuse for antisemitism... Nor is there ever a valid excuse for racism in any way, shape or form.

I feel that if there is a rise in antisemitism then it is probably a bunch of ignorant twats that find it funny to destroy and abuse... You get them everywhere, regardless.

I highly doubt that someone that is highly educated on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict would really take the time to vandalise a synagogue (not because of what their views may be, but because I imagine the vandals/thugs are some scummy teens who would also abuse blacks, Arabs, whites, Asians, the elderly ect).

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11393427/Were-leaving-Britain-Jews-arent-safe-here-any-more.html

I think it's immensely sad people feel they have to leave. A good few years ago (when I worked in Hatton Garden) I heard of a man who said he advised any other Jews to make sure that their children were fluent in another language and that they had portable assets (cash, gold, diamonds etc) not just property, in case they had to get out in a hurry. I thought he was being absurd. Now I'm not so sure. It isn't anywhere near that stage in the UK (and I hope to God it never is) but there is no question incidents are on the rise and it's not only because of Gaza since there was a rise in the first six months of last year, not just in the summer.

Anti semitism has been around for millenia and the really sad thing is that if it didn't exist in the first place, then the state of Israel would never have needed to eithe, because Jews wouldn't have felt they needed a safe haven.

LouiseBr First of all - this country must not ever tolerate those who direct hatred towards any part of our community. Also nothing justifies anti-Semitism - or any form of racism, racial discrimination or Islamophobia.

But that said, I don't think the Israeli state helps matters frankly. By this I don't mean Israel's mere existence or it's right to defend itself and maintain law and order within it's own borders. As long ago as 1947 two British soldiers were murdered in what was then Palestine by Jewish paramilitaries, in retaliation for death sentences passed on three of their own fighters who were trying to establish a Jewish state. The bodies of the British soldiers were discovered in a eucalyptus grove near Netanya. They had been hanged and the ground beneath them booby-trapped with a landmine. This was one of several violent incidents that took place then and it kicked off Anti-Jewish attacks even riots on the streets of Britain.

In 2006 Israel's bombardment, and invasion, of Lebanon killed over a thousand Lebanese civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes. We saw a rise then in attacks against Jews in Britain then. The state of Israel was created to protect Jews from across the world from hatred, prejudice and violence - through its actions it provokes such awful anti-Semitic attacks against Jews who live thousands of miles away from Israel and have nothing to do with the actions of the IDF or the policies of the Israeli gov't. Israel is not acting in the best interests of diaspora Jews IMO.