To be concerned about the rise of antisemitism in the UK?

[hibbledibble]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10447069/Terrifying-moment-Jewish-shop-owners-suffer-random-anti-Semitic-attack-London-street.html

Sorry that this is a daily mail article, but such events are common, but rarely reported on.

Antisemitism has increased at a worrying rate recently, and there seems to be little concern about this.

An example of antisemitism being tolerated, is that when footage of the above crime was posted to a local group on social media, some were saying that these men may have deserved the assault, and unpleasant comments made about Jews.

David Baddiel’s book Not all Jews is excellent.
Anti Semitism and criticism of Israel is perfectly acceptable to the left but they never criticise human rights abuses in China for example.
Perhaps the Chinese are not Jewish enough for them.

TheGratefulBread That is why I asked another poster that question. To feel that you are being erased from your own genocide must be dreadful.

It seems that you can't mention antisemitism these days, without one (or both) of two responses.

The first is to mention Israel. Never mind the fact, antisemitism as been around for millennia, and pretty much every single antisemitic trope predates Israel by centuries. They don't call it the oldest form of hatred in the world for nothing.

The second is whataboutery. "What about this or that group, they have it worse." That kind of thing. I bet they never "what about" anyone of other minority groups, but it's fine to do it to us Jews. And I'm sick of it.

There is, I'm afraid, a sense of things aren't that bad, because hey, it's not the Holocaust again. However, the Holocaust didn't begin with building the camps and gassing Jews. It began with low-level antisemitism, and slowly built up, over time. And that's why some of us keep a 'just in case' bag packed, because we know from family experience, just how this might end up.

‘ do think we need to teach more about the holocaust at a younger age in schools. Leaving it until 13 plus which is what they seem to do now - if at all- just isn’t good enough.’

In detail It’s a KS3 topic, part of WW2, and TBH I don’t think it’s suitable for kids younger than that in any detail.
It is taught in primary schools, my 9’year old know about the Nazis and the has chambers. They’re taught about the Holocaust.
Anti Semitic parents are the issue, not the school curriculum

@Isaw3ships

‘ I’m Jewish too and agree, it’s the last form of acceptable racism. “Because Israel”. hmm’

Some People are antisemitic because they’re are racist bigots. It’s got nothing to do with Israel.
It is possible to disagree with the actions of the Israeli government and the sympathise with the suffering of Palestinian people while not being in the least bit anti-Semitic.

Of course it's possible and in fact Jews do it all the time. But there's always this response - "you can criticise Israel..." and no one said you can't! We are pointing out how it's used as deflection. Because some bad actors weaponise it to dismiss all criticism of Israel, others refuse to consider whether or not they've crossed the line. Arguments about antisemitism regularly turn into political debates about Israel.

I've lost count of the times (and yes this is worse in the UK) when someone finds out I'm Jewish and starts asking me about Israel, or making assumptions about my beliefs, or thinking that random non-Israeli Jews should be tsk'ed at over it.

@Isaw3ships

Who the f is voting that a rise in antisemitism isn’t worrying?? 13% FFS.

People who should be ashamed of themselves.

Not Jewish but my husband has Jewish ancestors, we will light a candle and put it in the window tonight.
Like others I don’t think it’s right to blame the more left political leaning solely for anti semitism, it needs to be called out on any political sphere. The responsibility is for all of us to stand together against anti semitism.

Whatever your position on Israel, there is no excuse for anti-semitism.

I'm not Jewish but I have lit a candle this evening in memory of the millions of Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust.

@Otherpeoplesteens

My last MP was Rebecca Long-Bailey.

'Nuff said. The rot starts at the top.

Is Rebecca Long Bailey an antisemite? What has she said? What has she done? Where is the evidence for that? It trivialises a serious and pernicious form of racism to throw out random slurs. Maybe save the anti semite label for actual anti semites? Who do deserve to be condemned.

It's terrifying and worrying that in such a small poll 16% think you're being unreasonable.

It's funny how it's the last acceptable form of racism - last time I checked we'd completely ended the hostile environment, the mcpherson report was a fever dream and islamophobia I think is all but gone. You see this is why we can never get anywhere.

The % of YABU votes has been creeping up steadily. It’s quite scary really.

I think there does need to be a conversation about legitimate censure of the Israeli government, and it not inherently being antisemitic - but today is not the day to have it.

I do think people whose first thought when they hear about antisemitism is "but Israel..." need to give themselves a shake though. The two things shouldn't be related, so it's a bit of a giveaway when the one always leads to the other.

I’ve googled and got no clear answer - why is it racist to say Israel shouldn’t have been created in the way it was? Why is it racist to criticise Israeli policies?

I feel that Israel has for a long time been allowed to do things which breach human rights without any consequence because people (including governments) feel it would be antisemitic to criticise.

However, I think that it’s a separate issue and absolutely isn’t a reason to be racist in anyway shape or form. Obviously the example of having to have security at weddings and pre schools is terrifying and I had no idea before this thread.

Also agree about the rise of holocaust deniers - I don’t understand why we aren’t educating our children more about this. When I was at school we had a term on it at gsce and a trip to Poland - none of us would/could forget that and I’ll be teaching my own children.

In regards to antisemitism on the far left, as opposed to the far right, here's my tuppence worth.

I know where I stand with those on the far right. I know they hate Jews. They don't really try to hide it. They're loud and proud about it on Twitter, and other social media.

Antisemitism on the far left is more terrifying to me, because they refuse to accept they're antisemites. In fact, I find it's far left antisemites who try to redefine antisemitism, and obviously their kind of antisemitism doesn't fall under their definition!

Antisemitism needs tackling on all sides, of course it does, but I think the reason we tend to talk more about that from the far left, is because that's the side we really don't expect it from. We expect it from the other lot.

YANBU. I don't have the energy to type more than that

I just went out to put a candle in my window.

Was heartened to see them putting the window of the pub across the road as I went to look.

Has anyone seen Leopoldstadt by the brilliant Tom Stoppard?

The West End show is coming to cinemas any day- I highly recommend!

So 16% think I am being unreasonable, why is that? Would any of them like to explain? Is it because they believe antisemitism is acceptable?

What strikes on this thread is that there aren't many allies. Lots of Jews are concerned, and a few people who aren't Jewish. We need the wider community to be concerned too.

I haven't mentioned Israel at all, because antisemitism cannot, and should not, be justified because of the actions of a foreign country.

@Isaw3ships

‘ I’m Jewish too and agree, it’s the last form of acceptable racism. “Because Israel”. hmm’

Some People are antisemitic because they’re are racist bigots. It’s got nothing to do with Israel.
It is possible to disagree with the actions of the Israeli government and the sympathise with the suffering of Palestinian people while not being in the least bit anti-Semitic.

"Some People are antisemitic because they’re are racist bigots"

I may be reading it wrongly but I don't understand this. Some people are anti Semitic because they're racist bigots? Surely all anti Semites are racist bigots?! What are the other "reasons" for being anti semitic?

I'm on the app and can't see the percentage of YABUs but from what posters are saying about the vote is really fucking depressing. Especially today. We will be lighting a yahrzeit candle this evening when everyone is home.

Let's call anti-semitism what is actually is - hatred of Jews. I am think the term anti-semite lessens the seriousness of what it actually means. It is also worth remembering that Judaism is both a religion and a race and why Jews experience both anti-semitism and racism. The latter isn't often acknowledged because of skin colour/so many Jews being white.

Antisemtisim is on the rise, something I have been saying for a good few decades now, and have had non-Jewish friends tell me I am being ridiculous. But how would they know? They aren't othered, they are singled out or even aware of anti-semitism and how it can colour one's day to day life. Because so many Jews are white, indeed, I am white, some let their guard down and say terrible things to my face about Jews because they have no idea I am a Jew. It's appalling. The Jewish population of the UK is less than half of one percent. As a PP estimated, this is around 300,000 people. It's a tiny number of people yet we are singled out for hatred and it is not taken seriously. This is why it is so important that we don't let anyone forget what us Jews have had to deal with and survive. The holocaust colours every single Jewish person's life irregardless of if they have directly experienced it. This is why days like today are so important to be acknowledged and preserved.

I'm just so shocked and horrified at this development. I thought it was something I would never see in a modern country. I still don't understand it. Why would anyone feel antagonism towards someone with a Jewish faith? I can only assume its to do with Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, but how does that translate to Jews living a totally normal lives here. Just don't get it.

It’s not really widespread across the uk. In my 35 years I’ve come across racism, sexism, xenophobia and by far the most common occurrence as in several times a day every day - sectarianism. Never come across antisemitism in my life.

It is concerning, it's also concerning just how quickly conspiracy theories escalate to blame Jewish people. I hate that my dear friend is prepared and ready to run.
Candle lit.

@Greywhippet
Rebecca L-B shared an antisemitic article. She is also a die-hard Corbynite which tells you everything you need to know. Indeed the rot starts at the top.

@HighlandPony

It’s not really widespread across the uk. In my 35 years I’ve come across racism, sexism, xenophobia and by far the most common occurrence as in several times a day every day - sectarianism. Never come across antisemitism in my life.

Are you Jewish?