To think there are very few allies against Anti-Semitism?

[Longingdreamer]

This month, I have had experienced Anti-Semitism twice. Both times I was with my children.

Both times, my children were distressed, and no one around did anything to protect us or raise the alarm. When we asked for help, we were dismissed. We were in very busy public spaces both times: a tube platform, then a high street.

I reported the first episode to the police. I'm not even sure if it's worth reporting the second episode. Sadly it feels so mainstream, and the authorities are not supportive when I report it either.

One thing to keep in mind is the fact that people in London do tend to ignore things, I have been mugged with many people around and no one intervened or even asked if I was ok! It's the bystander effect. Not saying you haven't experienced anti-Semitism, if I witnessed it I would say something.

Whilst I'd agree about the bystander effect in many large towns/cities these days, it does make me think we're going to shit as human beings if we cannot offer assistance to a family who have been racially abused and person who has just been mugged.

Not aimed at you but a reflection of just how awful this world is. I just wonder how we get better?

I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. I like to think I’d be brave enough to intervene if I saw that.

I think most decent minded people are against it. I call it out if I hear it. I’d like to think I’d step in if I saw it, but it would depend entirely on the situation. I did so once to someone making really Islamophobic comments to a woman and she indicated to me to step back.

Your not being unreasonable, I am not Jewish, I was raised Catholic but my father is so I feel sensitive to this issue and I suppose could be considered part Jewish. I think understandably people are outraged at what is happening in Gaza but there are times that outrage seems to spill over into antisemitism and in other instances it seems to give permission to some who always hated Jews to express that hatred freely.

THIS. So well said.

So sorry OP that you and your children have been victims of anti semitism and on top of it, no one stood up for you. Though sadly, I’m not surprised.
I think a lot of people are scared. Scared of judgement, scared of marginalisation, but also genuinely scared for their own safety.

People don’t like to get involved, in general. I don’t think anti-semitism plays a part. You can see videos everyday of people, walking on by, or not getting involved when bad things are happening. Survival instinct, and Bystander syndrome.

Sorry that happened to you. I would have intervened on your behalf, and have done for others. I know the difference it can make when even one person says something in support.

I do agree with @familylawyer01392 that most people just watch gormlessly regardless of what's happening, whether it's racial abuse, sexual assault, or, to a lesser extent, very ill people.

I am not in London but I think its pretty unlikely that nobody would do anything in my area if they saw a woman and children being verbally abused for any reason.
I hope not and I know I would certainly try to help

I am outraged by the genocide in Gaza but not anti-Semitic in the slightest.

@PenelopePennyDrop That's great to know that you're outraged by the genocide in Gaza but why do you feel the need to say it in the same breath as saying you're not anti-semitic? Jews in the UK are not in any way responsible for what's happening in Gaza and I think it would be widely considered to be problematic if I said:

'I disapprove of the genocide in Rwanda but have nothing against Black people'

... do you see what I mean? It suggests that the first thing is somehow the responsibility/interest of all Black people all over the world?

The poster clearly said ‘there are times’ to indicate that they don’t feel this applies to all those who are outraged by whats happening in Gaza.

In the same way that many in the Jewish community are unable to distinguish between criticism of the Israeli government’s appalling behaviour and antisemitism, many non Jews are unable to distinguish between the atrocities in Gaza and being antisemitic. Many people are just too dogmatic and narrow minded to see the nuance.

Antisemitism is never ok. I would have said something had I been there but then, I’m from a small community where people look out for each other. I’m sorry you and your children experienced this. It is not ok.

Sorry @PenelopePennyDrop - I see that you're responding to the post above and I misinterpreted you!

The phrase 'Anti-Semitism' has been so awfully overused in the last couple of years that people, including the police, probably now under-react to any real examples or reports of it

It's not a phrase.

And can you imagine saying this sentence but replace anti semetism with the word racism. It's outrageous.

So sorry op...yanbu

I would hope that this is a symptom of people’s difficulties interjecting into any situation like this, not specifically just antisemitism but I don’t know. My children and I aren’t visibly Jewish but my daughter had two terrible bullying situations at school involving hate speech - neither handled particularly well by the teacher bystanders. I’m not sure if this is specific about anti Jewish bullying or a more general issue.

I am terribly sorry this is happening to you. I have posted a few times about how difficult everything is just now. Feel free to message if you’d like to talk.

Oh dear

Yeah I have no idea what this poster even means so was just ignoring it. What a strange thing to say.

I think the issue is so many people are disgusted by the situation in Gaza and are taking this out on other innocent people.
I’d have spoken up for you OP. I’m sorry nobody did.

I think there are a few posts in this thread where if you substituted 'racism' for 'anti-semitism', it would read very differently and people would be shocked.

It makes me think that when Diane Abbott claimed that Jewish people experience racism 'differently', the other side of the argument is true - that anti-semitism is seen as less of a problem than racism.

Like the PP asking for an explanation of what happened. That could be innocent but if someone said they suffered racial abuse, why do we need to know the details to validate the fact it happened?

Yep, your name is true!

How has antisemitism been overused? If someone is antisemitic then they’re antisemitic.
If you’re referring to the current political situation in Gaza, It is not antisemitic to criticise the government of Israel but that’s a whole different issue from hurling abuse at a family in the street simply because they’re Jewish. I’m appalled by the situation in Gaza but that doesn’t mean I’m not acutely aware that Jewish citizens aren’t regularly subjected to actual antisemitism.

One good example is how in recent years, we've rightly been taught to respect the lived experiences of people of colour and other minorities when they speak about racism or oppression. But that same respect often isn’t extended to Jewish people when they speak about antisemitism.

You're right, it's not really a 'phrase'. Apologies. I'll re-phrase.

The words 'Anti-Semitism' have been so awfully overused in the last couple of years that people, including the police, probably now under-react to any real examples or reports of it.

I don't think this is outrageous at all.