David Badiel - Jews Don't Count. Shocked

[Everanewbie]

AIBU to be disappointed and upset at the blindspot for antisemitism that was highlighted in last night's excellent documentary? The Leigh Francis part was especially revealing to me. The (quite correct) groveling apologies for the Michael Jackson, Craig David and Mel B characters were a contrast to the defining silence on the David Badiel character.

What is more, the reaction from the left-wing commentators (Owen Jones, et al) on twitter seem to suggest that Badiel says other racism doesn't exist, which feels like a deliberate and willful misrepresentation.

That was a lovely thing to do.

I think the world is getting more hateful. The first time I heard someone had made a vile remark to someone I knew who was Jewish was when I was an adult, mid 70s I think. She was a friend of my mothers and she was very upset, obviously, and I was shocked as I thought that sort of thing was history.

There just seems so much hate and anger in the world. It is scary to think where these things will end.

I am engaging in good faith.

I accept that there is awful anti-Semitism in the world. But that I'm surprised by some of the comments on here regarding how severe it is.

I have to say, I find some of the reaction to my posts wholly disproportionate.

I have read and seen antisemitic comments. For example, during the pandemic comments about a great conspiracy theory involving the Rothschilds and other prominent Jewish people.
I think those who say they have never heard or seen antisemitism are most likely to have simply not recognised it as antisemitism.

Have you ever had someone say vile things to you for no reason other than the fact you are different from them?

Yes I have.

@Snoozer11

I accept that there is awful anti-Semitism in the world. But that I'm surprised by some of the comments on here regarding how severe it is.

Surprised or disbelieving?

I understand being surprised.

I don't understand not believing it's as severe and frequent as people are saying when they're on the receiving end.

So hopefully you do believe them?

How would it make you feel if people said to you they didn't believe you, because they hadn't seen it happen to you?

@Snoozer I think it’s a bit like how some men say there’s no sexism at their work, because they don’t experience it personally, but almost every woman I’ve ever worked with will know who the sexists are in any workplace.

If you don’t live in an area with a visible Jewish community you won’t see it.

As I said upthread I’ve rarely experienced a positive reaction when I mention my Jewish heritage.

Who has said 'everyone' is targeting Jewish people? How disappointing and disingenuous to trot out the old 'they think the whole world's against them' trope.

She was asking about the demographic, because she’s admitting she hasn’t seen anti semitism personally. I think maybe she meant ‘everywhere’ and not ‘everyone’ - don’t think her message was that Jewish people think the whole world is against them. I think the analogy of the man who doesn’t hear misogynistic comments because of his sex is probably a good one here. It’s difficult to get your head around it unless you’ve experienced it yourself, and unless you live close to a Jewish community you probably don’t realise how prevalent it is.

Sorry, but she didn’t say she didn’t believe it happened, she said she was surprised by the severity of the incidents people are describing on this thread. I’m not Jewish but have two very good friends who are, and as others here have said, they just don’t disclose their heritage to people they don’t know well, which is very sad. Even so, until I saw this thread, I was unaware of just how severe the problem is in the UK. The poster who told of her friend telling her to her face that she didn’t like Jews and then gathering up her children and leaving absolutely appalled me. One minute they’re playing happily and the next they’re having the parents’ prejudices forced on them, and the anti semitism is passed to the next generation.

I am in Europe currently and went to visit a Shoah Memorial and nearby Museum. I was shocked to see an armed policeman there. It was an eye opener to me I have to say.

Haven't rtft because it's 33 pages long but have watched the documentary and wondered whether any British Jewish schools have been attacked or invaded? It shocked me to see a security drill being done. Is it really that necessary?

Are you really asking Jewish people to justify why they feel the need to protect their children@Fritilleries?

@Fritilleries this happened on the street

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64046173.amp

@Fritilleries

I'm not Jewish, I too was shocked that the schools do this - but do you really think the parents and schools would put the children through this if it wasn't necessary for their protection?

I absolutely agree. I was wondering if a specific school incident had occurred. I know the incidents of antisemitism as reported have soared and I find it strange how for example Kanye West still has a platform. It's a sad indication of the problem when the government has to fund the security of schools. It was a really thought provoking documentary.

@Fritilleries are you very young? The reason I ask is that you refer to Mr West as opposed to the countless attacks on Jewish premises within Western Europe over the last 20-30 years.

My DH is 32 years old but he still remembers kids from a local school throwing stones at his window, screaming at him to come out and 'Jew'.

It is necessary. The guards at his school were ex IDF.

@Fritilleries

I'm sure someone with much greater knowledge than me will correct me if I'm wrong, but I doubt the govt is funding security measures at Jewish schools

Here , I was reading up on it. It's good that it is taken seriously.

@Fritilleries

I should have googled that first, I am surprised to learn that the govt does indeed fund the schools for security measures - yes very sad indeed that its necessary.

@BadShepherd

I'm 57, I think I'm reasonably well informed but the whole Kanye West thing has mostly passed me by until very recently.

There isn't much of a Jewish community where I live, certainly no synagogue, so whilst I am very aware on one level l that anti semitism is a significant issue, I honestly couldn't say I know specifcally about attacks on Jewish businesses across Europe over the last few decades

Yes. Many get very credible threats daily. The police don't patrol for shits and giggles, especially with the current cuts. I don't really want to risk my childrens' safety for you to believe what it is really like for British Jews at the moment @Fritilleries My husband having F*g Y shouted at him on his way to synagogue is bad enough

I remember my children being taught what to do in a terrorist situation ……… at NURSERY!!!! They only knew it as a ‘game’ as they were 3 and 4 year olds. My husband is on the rota for security at synagogue on the sabbath - he has had to have Krav Maga training and wear a stab vest. How is this right? But that’s life at any and every Jewish establishment.