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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be shocked that this is happening in the UK in 2026

299 replies

Terfymcnamechange · 15/02/2026 21:31

https://x.com/jeanhatchet/status/2023017313327317331?s=46&t=N3lQrZ7NOBmzt0lfDUYXPA

Jean Hachet posted this today. Men going door to door in Sheffield looking for people who aren't boycotting Israel. The man grabbed one of the women by throat and headbutted her when challenged. Feels like something out of the 1930s

Jean Hatchet (@JeanHatchet) on X

There was a Jew hunt door to door in Woodseats Sheffield. We ended it within 15 mins because they didn’t like “Jew Hunt” shouting at them. They were collecting addresses of the non-supportive. The man in blue took our sign and then had Lightning Le...

https://x.com/jeanhatchet/status/2023017313327317331?s=46&t=N3lQrZ7NOBmzt0lfDUYXPA

OP posts:
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11
inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:30

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:22

There were ways of settling this that didn't include 'reducing an entire city to rubble and starving and killing everyone living there.' It looks like Israel's solution to 7/10 is to kill everyone in Gaza and/or drive them all out. Unfortunately the Gazans don't have anywhere to go, so killing them seems to be the ongoing solution.

I fully understand the worry that Hamas wants to wipe out Israel, but honestly, it looks like Israel also wants to wipe out Gaza. And is a lot more successful at it.

What were the “ways to settle this” though?

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:30

Frequency · 16/02/2026 12:25

Off-topic slightly, but can someone explain why people feel the need to "pick a side?" and why being against what Hamas did means you are pro-Israel?

I understand there is a complicated history that I don't fully understand, but in my eyes, Hamas committed an act of terror and murdered innocent citizens; Israel responded by committing genocide and murdering innocent citizens. The innocent citizens of both countries are paying the price. As far as Hamas v Israel both parties are terrorists and neither one deserves support.

Because Israel hides behind 'antisemitism' to shut down any debate on its actions in Palestine. Of course antisemitism is very real and it's got worse since 7/10 (and is utterly contemptible, it goes without saying) but it's also used as a manipulation tactic by the hard-right Israeli government and its supporters.

We should be able to have a balanced debate about this but it's impossible. The 'pick a side' thing is how the manipulation works - you're either pro-Israel or antisemitic, basically.

INeedAnotherName · 16/02/2026 12:31

Erin1975 · 16/02/2026 09:02

This is the leaflet/poster they were handing out.

Thank you for posting the leaflet. I can't see anything wrong or hateful about it at all and it's quite similar to any labour/tory/liberal/Green leaflet at voting time every May. The only trick they missed was not listing some of the common produce/goods.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:33

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:30

What were the “ways to settle this” though?

Do you think it's a binary choice between 'let Hamas kill everyone' or 'let Israel kill everyone' then?

SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 16/02/2026 12:33

dancingredshoes · 16/02/2026 07:31

@TheBreezyCathaving been firmly left wing, it is these type of men (and women) that have made me sway back to the centre. The Pro Palestine movement is made up of misguided and misinformed aggressive protestors. Who include a small number of grannies to divert from the fact about how aggressive they all are. I also will never forgive this despicable movement for denying the horrendous sexual violence that took place on 7th October. If you’re against what happened in Gaza, then, from a human rights perspective, I would expect you to also be against Hamas and the atrocities they committed. The fact that the majority see Hamas as a bunch of sweet cuddly men is a no from me! Also, why do the never condemn any of the other Middle Eastern countries that refuse to help those in Gaza? The whole movement is a joke.

This!

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:35

SpaceRaccoon · 16/02/2026 12:26

Can you elaborate on which ways? What would the best response to 7 October have been, in your opinion?

Also if Israel was intent on wiping out Gazans, they've failed miserably at it. It's not for want of high tech weaponry, so I can only conclude that has never been their intent at all, and it's yet more blood libel.

I'm a normal person who doesn't have the answer to 2,000 years plus of ongoing conflict I'm afraid. I just believe strongly that mass killings on either side are not the answer.

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:35

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:33

Do you think it's a binary choice between 'let Hamas kill everyone' or 'let Israel kill everyone' then?

Did Israel kill everyone? Why the hyperbole?

DuchessofStaffordshire · 16/02/2026 12:37

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:30

Because Israel hides behind 'antisemitism' to shut down any debate on its actions in Palestine. Of course antisemitism is very real and it's got worse since 7/10 (and is utterly contemptible, it goes without saying) but it's also used as a manipulation tactic by the hard-right Israeli government and its supporters.

We should be able to have a balanced debate about this but it's impossible. The 'pick a side' thing is how the manipulation works - you're either pro-Israel or antisemitic, basically.

Edited

I concur. It's impossible to sit on the fence and debate the issue rationally without being branded an anti-Semite or Hamas supporter. I would also point out that acts of insurgency and terror, however abhorrent, very rarely occur in a vacuum.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:38

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:35

Did Israel kill everyone? Why the hyperbole?

They've killed over 70,000 people (at a conservative estimate), with more dying from starvation and disease. If the situation doesn't improve, give it enough time and eventually there'll be nobody left. I find it an astonishingly high number of deaths to be glib about.

https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s239

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:39

DuchessofStaffordshire · 16/02/2026 12:37

I concur. It's impossible to sit on the fence and debate the issue rationally without being branded an anti-Semite or Hamas supporter. I would also point out that acts of insurgency and terror, however abhorrent, very rarely occur in a vacuum.

Exactly. I'm leaving this thread shortly because even discussing this inevitably ends up in accusations of antisemitism.

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:44

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 12:38

They've killed over 70,000 people (at a conservative estimate), with more dying from starvation and disease. If the situation doesn't improve, give it enough time and eventually there'll be nobody left. I find it an astonishingly high number of deaths to be glib about.

https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s239

“There will be nobody left” is just hyperbole again.
War is awful, but Hamas started it by launching a horrific terror attack. What do you think they thought would happen next?

ThereIsThunderInOurHearts · 16/02/2026 12:45

This is a thread to try to convince mumsnetters that anti-genocide activists = Jew haters.

I will not conflate Jewish people with Israel and the illegal and barbaric actions of its government and army. I also respect that Jewish posters on here have said they would feel safer in Israel and I wholeheartedly wish that they are safe everywhere.

I take issue with @Terfymcnamechange saying this is Jew hate. It is not. It is a canvassing campaign for BDS action against an apartheid state, the very same action that overturned apartheid in South Africa. It is calling for the boycott, divestment or sanction (BDS) of Israeli goods, many of which are made or grown in illegal settlements.

The canvassers are not taking names of those who disagree, they are simply making a note of those who are not interested so as not to return to that door. All political canvassers do this.

Anti-Semitism is absolutely not welcome by me and I will fight that as much as I will fight for the rights of Palestinians to their freedom to live on their own land and in peace. And I do both. Anytime I see swastika graffiti I report to council and log with CST. Same within the Palestine movement - where I have seen placards that can be misconstrued as being anti-Jewish. It is not to be tolerated. You can't sew hate within a peace movement.

A genocide is not a proportionate response to October 7th - which I also condemn wholeheartedly. A proportionate response would have been for Israel to target Hamas. Israel has highly sophisticated weaponry that can target individuals and uses advanced technology to identify targets but has used it to murder civilians including aid workers, medics and their whole families, schools, hospitals, homes, children, elderly...Israel under international law is committing a genocide as well as operating an apartheid system against Palestinians.

These activists were doing what they believe could affect Israel - through BDS - and I agree with doing that, same as I agreed with trying to stop the actions of the South African government. Palestinians have been under Israeli occupation (including control of their travel, water, electricity) for decades. Now it is aid that is controlled and they are in forced starvation by Israel, with Ramadan imminent.

BDS activists are doing the moral thing - ias long as it is coupled with being respectful and kind to any Jewish person they encounter who doesn't feel safe because of the association ignorant people make with the actions of a genocidal state. It is not in their name. Peace x

stargirl27 · 16/02/2026 12:55

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:44

“There will be nobody left” is just hyperbole again.
War is awful, but Hamas started it by launching a horrific terror attack. What do you think they thought would happen next?

Do you seriously think Hamas 'started it'? Do you know any of the events that took place before 7/10?

Even if they had 'started it', are they 5 year olds on a playground? Do you consider Israel's actions since to be proportionate or acceptable?

DuchessofStaffordshire · 16/02/2026 12:58

inamarina · 16/02/2026 12:44

“There will be nobody left” is just hyperbole again.
War is awful, but Hamas started it by launching a horrific terror attack. What do you think they thought would happen next?

I think it's incredibly naive to suggest that this started as a result of Hama's attack on 7/10. The situation is far more nuanced and complex than that.

JudgeJ · 16/02/2026 13:01

EmeraldRoulette · 16/02/2026 02:16

Yes, it's shocking isn't it?

Happened in Brighton, I think
And another town, I can't remember which one

That was this week. There's possibly a nationwide coordinated group - it's awful.

Yet another so called religious group who are using their 'religion' as an excuse for violence, Hamas have no place in the UK, or anywhere else.

JudgeJ · 16/02/2026 13:03

DuchessofStaffordshire · 16/02/2026 12:58

I think it's incredibly naive to suggest that this started as a result of Hama's attack on 7/10. The situation is far more nuanced and complex than that.

When they decided on their murder spree in October '25 what exactly did they expect from Israel? If their answer is 'no response' then they're as thick as they are violent.

stargirl27 · 16/02/2026 13:04

JudgeJ · 16/02/2026 13:01

Yet another so called religious group who are using their 'religion' as an excuse for violence, Hamas have no place in the UK, or anywhere else.

Agree that Hamas have no place in the UK or elsewhere. The group canvassing in support of the BDS movement are not Hamas.

HappyFace2025 · 16/02/2026 13:05

stargirl27 · 16/02/2026 13:04

Agree that Hamas have no place in the UK or elsewhere. The group canvassing in support of the BDS movement are not Hamas.

Two sides of the same coin. Both want to destroy Israel.

inamarina · 16/02/2026 13:05

DuchessofStaffordshire · 16/02/2026 12:58

I think it's incredibly naive to suggest that this started as a result of Hama's attack on 7/10. The situation is far more nuanced and complex than that.

The situation is certainly very complex.
What did Hamas think they would achieve by launching a large scale terror attack?
Do you think they assumed that killing teenagers at a festival and peaceniks in a Kibbutz would improve the lives of people in Gaza?

Frequency · 16/02/2026 13:08

JudgeJ · 16/02/2026 13:03

When they decided on their murder spree in October '25 what exactly did they expect from Israel? If their answer is 'no response' then they're as thick as they are violent.

I'm fairly certain that the 27,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7th did not participate in any murder sprees.

Genocide is never acceptable.

inamarina · 16/02/2026 13:08

JudgeJ · 16/02/2026 13:03

When they decided on their murder spree in October '25 what exactly did they expect from Israel? If their answer is 'no response' then they're as thick as they are violent.

Well, exactly.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 13:12

inamarina · 16/02/2026 13:08

Well, exactly.

And do you think that Israel killing thousands and thousands of Palestines will put an end to this? Or do you think it will radicalise the survivors, and entrench further hate against Israel, its Western allies, and Jews everywhere? Because my money would be on the latter.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/02/2026 13:18

HappyFace2025 · 16/02/2026 13:05

Two sides of the same coin. Both want to destroy Israel.

The thing is, though, Hamas may WANT to destroy Israel, but Israel IS destroying Gaza. Why is it morally OK for one to do that but not the other? (FWIW - I am not defending either of them, both are morally wrong IMO).

dapsnotplimsolls · 16/02/2026 13:20

Thank you for posting this, useful to get different perspectives.