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.

It depends on who, what and how you asked for help before anyone can judge whether it was the circumstances of the situation or something else.

People can’t be expected to call themselves an ally for every ism that there is, but I would think that the vast majority of people in this country would stick up for a child they saw being upset by an unrelated adult in public.

There are allies, OP, but our antagonists are louder.

I think, especially in London, people exercise a certain self-preservation. They would rather not stand up in case they then become a target too. It's understandable.

Wish I could offer something more hopeful, especially given some of the idiocy on display in this thread...

I still have no idea what you mean. But I’m guessing I won’t like it.

The problem is that there are many different defenitions of anti-semitism.

Yes, so not you, but some people.

It is outrageous to dismiss anti-Semitism as “words”. Anti-semitism has risen in the last couple of years in the UK, people are hearing it more because it is actually happening more.

What are you trying to say, that British Jewish people’s lived experiences are invalid? That the racism directed at them matters less than other types of racism?

Racism is so widespread it's almost ingrained in British society now it's not just anti-Semitism and sadly there are very few people willing to stand up to it

I’m so sorry this has happened to you and your children, OP. And also that no one stepped in to help.

I would if I was there.

Even the fact that Gaza (appalling as it is) has come into this thread shows how completely people associate all Jews with the actions of the Israeli govt - a foreign govt when you are British!

I agree
Whatever your view on what is happening in Gaza it does not justify abusing someone in public for their religion or even standing by and not trying to help

I can't give precise specifics due to an ongoing police investigation, but it included threats to our lives, as Jews, and I asked London underground staff in the station for help.

I do feel that if it was any other form of racism it would be taken more seriously. Unfortunately, people people don't seem to care when it is Anti-Semitism.

I’m sorry to hear this has happened to you, and sorry your kids are affected. I think a large part of the rise in antisemitism is the link with Gaza though, despite PP trying to say it isn’t relevant.

Obviously most people know that being Jewish is not linked to atrocities, but the consistent framing of criticism of Israel to antisemitism is fuelling the rise.

Bloodthirsty, genocidal maniacs are committing the worst war crimes in living memory, and claiming to do it in the name of the Jews. They are framing opposition to genocide as antisemitic and acting surprised when antisemitism rises.

All the Jewish people I know are vocally and actively critics of Israel and pro Palestine and hate what is done in their name.

OP I’m sorry this is done in your name & that you feel the effects of it.

FWIW it’s being done in the name of all British people too, with our tax money, and large swathes of the world hate us for it. I don’t blame them! We just need to keep doing what we can to be decent people.

This.

I'm sorry that you and your children experienced this, OP. And I'm sorry that nobody seemed to care. I hope you're all OK.

'Awfully overused' or people have just become apathetic? Anti-Semitic incidents have risen exponentially. It is far more dangerous to be Jewish in the UK than to be any other minority, based on the statistics.

All the Jewish people I know are vocally and actively critics of Israel and pro Palestine and hate what is done in their name

Oh yawn...how many times do we have to hear this. Loads of Jewish people on the marches blah blah blah

You know very well what they mean. People conflate criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism all the time. Criticising a government for their war crimes isn’t antisemitism.

Are you the poster that posted about this a few weeks ago? You could just link to that thread to give context to what you are saying.

So unoriginal

I do feel that if it was any other form of racism it would be taken more seriously.

I think every community / religion feels like that.

Yup OP anti-semitism and excusing anti-semitism is spreading. Can see it on this very thread here. Very depressing.

AbsolUtely this, in a nutshell.

The sad truth is that antisemitism has always been widespread in every country other than Israel. That’s ultimately why Israel exists. It’s a homeland for Jewry.

In the past there was enough shame among Jew-haters for them to keep quiet, after the Holocaust. But what you experienced OP was no doubt the foul outlet of ‘permitted’ antisemitism now that ‘progressives’ have been emboldened by decades of anti-Israel (aka anti-Jewish) agitation and Israel’s perfectly proper reaction to a modern-day pogrom.

I hope you and your children are OK.

I think you need to clarify a bit. Perhaps what you mean is that some people debating the ME issue are unfairly being accused of being antisemitic, thus taking attention away from the many people who are genuinely being antisemitic who need to be challenged with zero tolerance?

Hope you are ok OP. What kind of reaction did you get from the LU staff?

For what reason? The statistics have shown an exponential rise. Do you not care about this, or not believe the victims?

Sadly, I think you are illustrative of the problem. People lack empathy when the victims are Jewish.