Horrified by the spread of anti-Semitism in the UK

[Nancydrawn]

I read the article today by Richard Zimler, where he says that two different UK cultural organizations turned him down for a talk because he was Jewish.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/29/ive-never-met-antisemitism-in-britain-until-now

Not because he said anything controversial, not because his politics place him at an extreme, not because he's a public supporter of anything, but merely because he's Jewish. As his publicist said, "[he] told me that the final conversations he had with the two event co-ordinators convinced him that they weren’t antisemitic themselves but they feared a backlash – protests by their members and others – if they extended an invitation to a Jewish writer."

Again, this has nothing to do with Israel. There's no political cover here. It's just because he's Jewish, and it's straight up racism, and it's fucking horrific.

I don't really have an AIBU other than to say: what the fuck?

The many many people I know (including Jewish people) who take issue with Israeli policies towards, e.g. Gaza, the peace process and so on can analyse, caveat and put things into context. That context includes the threat posed to Israel by its neighbours. Whereas anti-Semites tend to parrot slogans and denunciations.

Jews and Israel are held to a higher standard than others.
I don't see why they shouldn't. Such a proud "only democracy" in the ME and "the most moral army in the world"

FishCanFly

It’s pretty racist of you to hold them to a higher standard that other ME countries don’t you think? Why do you do that? Do you think the people from other ME countries are beyond help or something?

It reminds me of people who criticise Russia for being homophobic meanwhile they ignore the entire Middle East who execute people for being gay. Is it because you hold higher standards for white people?

What make you think people who criticise Russia for levels of homophobia are ignoring the Middle East?

I see way more criticism towards Russia’s treatment of gay people on the left than the ME treatment of gay people, and I’m on the left.

The decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar has already been criticised because of the country's levels of homophobia, and it hasn't even taken place yet.

While the World Cup was on and drawing lots of attention and overseas visitors, Russia also attracted lots of attention for its levels of homophobia.

Do you think Russia shouldn't be criticised for homophobia?

It’s pretty racist of you to hold them to a higher standard that other ME countries don’t you think? Why do you do that? Do you think the people from other ME countries are beyond help or something?
There are pretty strict sanctions against Iran, without anybody crying racism. I wish we could do the same with Saudi Arabia.

I really DONT see Jews or Israel being held to a higher standard than anyone else, by anyone else.

The decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar has already been criticised because of the country's levels of homophobia, and it hasn't even taken place yet.

But it is still taking place. Where is the outrage & people trying to ban it like there was for Eurovision?

Guy tried to blow up the synagogue near us no one was hurt he got his face burnt badly. Wanker .

Thank the lefties who voted Jeremy Corbyn in then.

Again not allow to post about Israel and aphartaid? Any admin would like to explain that? Not been offensive didnt swear didnt make racist comments yet 2 posts have been deleted! Shame on you!

As stated many times, this thread is not about Israel! The fact that you keep trying to drag it back to that only reinforces what pps have said about anti-Semitism.

I am still amazed that Corbyn defended that clearly anti-semitic painting, and yet he is still leader.

It only reinforces the facts that any criticism of Israel brings cries of anti-semitism, just as you have done right now

It only reinforces the facts that any criticism of Israel brings cries of anti-semitism
Bollocks.
The Israeli government does plenty of things I do not agree with, and I have at various times said so, and yet I have never in my life been called an anti-semite. But then, having seen apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s, and also visited Israel, I don't make false comparisons.

Leftwing anti-Semitism is closely tied to attitudes towards Israel. Israel is portrayed as a colonial settler state (never mind that a significant proportion of its Jewish population descends from Jews ejected in various ways from various Arab countries), and is therefore seen as fundamentally wicked, and then it is seen as Jewish and by extension all Jews are seen as wicked, and then we end up with the situation we have now, with the avowed antiracist Jeremy Corbyn totally unable to see, without having to focus really rather hard, the anti-Semitism in that shocking mural that would have looked AOK in the pages of Der Sturmer.

As jennymanara says, it's mind boggling that he got away with that one.

newsthump.com/2019/07/12/labour-supporters-offer-to-explain-what-anti-semitism-is-to-jewish-people/

Maybe some people on this thread should read this.