To think we should avoid London right now?

[StayorgoLDN]

Due to visit London in the next few weeks.

Anxious with Palestinian protests and so forth in the news. I don’t want to be near that with young children, and worried that it may escalate to some sort of attack.

We are not Jews, but presuming as the U.K. is supporting Israel that we’ll all be fair game ie there might be an attack/bomb somewhere prominent to send a message to gov.

Have been in London during terrorist attacks before and I’d rather avoid.

AIBU to consider rescheduling our family trip to next year?

Where's the best place to find up to date info about the planned protests?

I'm a born and raised Londoner, and Jewish, and I honestly didn't even clock that this thread was about Israel when I saw the subject line. It would never occur to me to avoid London.

But that's because I don't fit whatever stereotypes people have of what Jewish people look like, and I don't wear anything that marks me as Jewish. I actively avoid that (not just now but always) because it is a real threat.

I can absolutely understand Jewish people avoiding London, but I really don't think there's any reason for non-Jews to do so, except maybe to avoid Jewish neighbourhoods. If Hamas or any other terror group wanted to target Jews they'd be bombing Golders Green, not Oxford Street.

I am going to London in 2 weeks at half term. Not bothered one bit.

That's awful to hear. Sorry for asking but who is attacking British Jews? Is it British Gazans? Or just general nutcases? Sorry for asking, I've heard on the news Jews have been threatened but wasn't sure why - Is it because they think you are Israeli or has this grown into a Jewish v Muslim thing?

Hamas cut open a pregnant woman's belly, made her watch as they stabbed the baby, then shot her in the head.

This has already been debunked. The pictures online have been proved as Ai fakes. It doesn't help when posters do this - it detracts from all the horrors Hamas did last week.

On a side not how horrendous are people that they create fake photos of this kind of thing.

The only reason I think you should change your plans is if the impact of noise or having to amend plans at short notice causes the issue with your DC I think you are describing.

As for any safety question, remember 25% of those driving a car are unfit to drive one and the chances of a crash from one of those motorists is infinitely greater.

Just want to retract this - the image that's been labelled as AI generated by Twitter with a content warning is now under question again as the AI tool is under investigation.

I've lost track of how we're supposed to find reliable information at this point

@TurquoiseMermaid

There is enhanced security at schools, synagogues and around Jewish neighbourhoods.

If this was the only threat then I would take your point. The forces protecting 250k people should be something they can manage. And this would not impact non-Jews.

The issue is now that if Israel kills off tens of thousands of Palestinians in the next week and the U.K. is seen to support this - it places all of the U.K. as a target - 67M people.

It really depends on whether Israel actually “obliterates” Gaza and what goes on as to what the level of anger is following.

But I think U.K. wide protests at least with a particular focus on London and threat level raised there.

I live in London and everyone seems to be going about day to day life as normal. I haven’t seen any protests or more police where I am in Zone 3. As much as it’s an awful situation, I haven’t felt any tensions here.

It does feel a bit like the OP is trying to centre herself in the trauma of others and is spreading unnecessary fear whilst doing so.

@mirax Hamas was not responsible for killing Lee Rigby. So what is your point?

How safe is this safest of places? People never unexpectedly die there?

No @Crapsummer2023 I am just realistic about what may happen if events as planned go ahead over the next week.

I’m afraid I do have to be careful in managing special needs kids when travelling.

I am relieved to hear that largely everything is as normal. But will be conscious of potential issues/tube in certain areas as specified. I couldn’t have got this info without asking.

I think they stopped doing them eventually. Probably because of folks like me using them as a meal substitute.

Or maybe someone choked to death on one. It's a dangerous world out there.

OP, it's people like you who are actually stirring up emotions and anger with a stick. I've read your thread since this morning and with each post you are prodding the hornet's nest more and more. Yes, without doubt there is going to be an annihilation if Israel does not heed the UN's and WHO's warnings. It may also result in a land grab. Hamas will not back down not matter what. They have no regard for the people of Gaza. Meanwhile, here in London, I've not seen anything different. I live in a very, very diverse area and there has been no tension here. Tomorrow I will be at the South Bank all day followed by dinner in the West End. I had not thought at all of any perceived threat until you mentioned it. Who knows what's going to happen in the Middle East today or tomorrow, let alone in the next few weeks. Weirdly, you have made this all about you. My concern would be that London's tourist spots are very busy and crowded and noisy, including all the museums, so this may be the issue for your children.

I’m a Londoner, Jewish, work for a Jewish organisation and I feel fine re going out and about. There is a stepped up police presence around Jewish areas and I was in town last weekend and didn’t see anything untoward. Of course there are going to be protestors on both sides but unless you join in, there’s no more risk than there would usually be.

“Funnily” (for want of a better word) enough, I do look Jewish and people often think I’m Jewish - never in an antisemitic way thankfully for me, but people might say “oh I had assumed you were Jewish” or once I nearly got directed onto a flight to Tel Aviv from an airport abroad because staff assumed I was Israeli.

I live in London and won’t be avoiding anywhere in particular.

I’m Italian/ British as it happens.

I live about as centrally as you can. Nothing last night. Went to work the morning and nothing different. On my away home now via drinks in Covent Garden.

The protests were peaceful. You can't get up to the embassy a lot of the time anyway. The entire road was closed to all but residents (diplomats, Uber rich folk, dodgy russians) for the entire evening. A group of hasidic jews were there and didn't seem overly concerned. Quite probably safer than your average market town at chucking out time.

I didn't even think about this until I saw this thread
I think we've collectively forgotten how scary the terror threat was in the 2000s and 2010s, I had friends affected by the 7/7 bombs who thankfully weren't injured. Going further back the IRA usually gave warning of attacks- but not always. In the 80s and 90s it was common to see robot bomb disposal units in the streets dealing with suspicious packages.
Threats against Jews living outside Israel are pure anti Semitic hatred, these people aren't even Israeli they are British citizens. Hamas are a horrible group with no legitimate claim to be in power in Gaza and innocent children are suffering. What a horrible world.
OP if you feel it will be too stressful I would postpone till things are more settled.

Interesting about the restaurant thing which I was vaguely aware of. Do you have a link?

I've lived & worked in London for 26 years. As usual with these things, steer clear of where the trouble might be. The city is big enough that you can often go about your business & not notice anything is kicking off at all.

Yes. This is reputable.

https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/23848037.pita-golders-green-restaurant-not-target-hate-crime/

Re rtfp, suggest you reread your own original fp. That and some of others are what folks are replying to. As for disruption/travel issues, quite regular anyway.

No, it is not fake. There are a lot of lies on here today.

A lot of people saying things are 'debunked' because the reality is so horrific.

Yes,the things Hamas have done are beyond horrific and it would be nicer to think that evil Jews made it up. But they happened.

Trigger warning for this video for any doubters:

https://twitter.com/Israel/status/1712456473303826874?t=q2UhqFKQubh7nuewKLYXIA&s=19