AIBU to feel concerned as the terror threat level increases to "severe"?

[Twiglets1]

Following the Golders Green stabbing attacks today, the UK terrorism threat level has been raised from "substantial" (an attack is likely in the next six months) to "severe" (an attack is highly likely).

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre says the increase follows yesterday's stabbings in Golders Green, but "is not solely a result of that attack."

Two Jewish men - Shloime Rand 34 and 76-year-old Moshe Shine - were attacked on Wednesday. Police are treating it as a terrorist incident.

Pretty much the whole of 2017 was either critical or severe wasn’t it? I’m guessing you didn’t live through the IRA years either.

I do understand it seems worrying but if it helps, my brother is in the military and part of his role is around counter terrorism/protecting against etc.

Obviously there is only so much he can say but when I speak to him, he isn't overly concerned. He has been in the military for 25 years now and this period isn't worrying him anymore than previous precarious periods.

Obviously what has happened is horrific and my thoughts are absolutely with the friends and families of those injured.

That does help, actually.

I don't think I would feel much reassured if I was Jewish since they seem to be the main targets at the moment for hate crimes, but for me personally - yes it's a little reassuring, thank you.

Are you Jewish or frequently in synagogues? If not then your risk level probably hasn’t changed.

Sadly anti-semitism is rising and the attacks in London and Manchester demonstrate that. I can understand why British Jews are concerned and I don’t think they needed the official threat level to increase to make them feel that way.

Did you read my post above yours? Presumably not.

No I’m not Jewish. But the terrorist threat level is not only due to the Golders Green attacks as was said in the first post.

A heightened terrorist threat is not something to be taken lightly.

I’m too old to worry about the levels. My entire childhood was one terrorist threat or another. And it’s reasonably unlikely that anything will happen to affect me and mine, or prevent the population from going about its day.

If I were Jewish I’d be much more worried.

it’s more likely that Russia will cut our undersea cables and plunge us into a non internet world for a while. Now, that’d be a major issue for the country as a whole.

I have so many questions I’d love to ask your brother!

It's all just same as it's always been. There's always something.

We are just WAY more aware of stuff now the news is at our fingertips and there is literally never a time where you cannot access news on TV either.

It is often at that level isn't it? I really wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, I did. What is your point?

I’ll be taking it lightly. Nothing is going to change for me. I’m more likely to come to harm in lots of ways that are far more likely than a terrorist attack. If I was worshipping regularly at a synagogue then my risk would be materially higher.

I wasn't aware that the threat had dropped from severe so it could go back to up severe.

The doomsday clock is 85 seconds to midnight.

Best just live each day as if it's your last and make it count :)

My point is that I had already indicated in the post above yours that I am not Jewish, yet you asked, “Are you Jewish?”

That is true that we are more aware of everything going on now with constant access to news.

But the level of risk is not all just the same as it’s ever been. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has raised the level of risk. That may not concern you but it’s important to some people that terrorism in the UK has increased.

I'm clearly behind on the news but I'm worried about this. I'm not sure what it means. Is there anything we can do like avoiding busy places and cities? If I sound clueless it's because I am 😂

We've spent much of the last 10 years with the threat level at severe.
Keep calm.and carry on, as they used to say 🙂

If you’re visibly Jewish & live in an area known to have a significant Jewish community then yes, you probably should be concerned & considering changing your behaviour accordingly.

If you’re not I’m this group then there’s no need for particular concern. I’m certainly going about my business as usual.

As someone with children at a Jewish primary school, I'm honestly terrified. Almost every day I wonder if this is the day I'll get a phone call or message informing me that the seemingly inevitable has happened.

We don't attend synagogue despite my children really enjoying it because I'm too scared to.

If I go to a kosher shop, I make sure to bring my own bag so no one can guess I'm Jewish when out and about.

If we go out after school, my kids have to change out of their uniform.

I feel utterly pathetic for all of the above, but it is what it is. It will no doubt seem like an exaggerated reaction to those who haven't experienced similar levels of threat or racism, but I genuinely don't think it is.

I think what people often forget is that the worldwide Jewish population is so small that there is no such thing as six degrees of separation. Any antisemitic attack anywhere in the world and there is genuinely never more than maybe three degrees of separation for any of us. October 7th I'm at two degrees of separation (my parents are at one degree of separation), same for the Bondi massacre. So an attack on a Jewish person anywhere always feels very, very close to home. So yeah, we're scared.

@Twiglets1 it seems to be that there is very little point being "concerned" about it. Because there is absolutely nothing you can do.

Apart from being vigilant, working for a more accepting society of differences, and trying to be a good citizen yourself.

You sound like you are doing the best for your kids in absolutely horrific times, you are an amazing mum. I’m so sorry you have to do this though and I really hope you can your family can go back to living your life without fear.

I can tell how worried you are @Humdingerydoo and I'm sorry you have to deal with this

I'm very sorry you're having to live like this and I'm appalled - as are a great many other people - that British Jews are experiencing such understandable fear in their home country.

I don't think you should feel "pathetic" or that your reactions are "exaggerated" though. You are behaving in an intelligent way to keep your loved ones safe. Those are your survival instincts in action and if they keep you and your children and your loved ones safe, then they've done their job.

There are undoubtedly anti-Semites in GB, some subtle, some less than subtle and some of them have revealed themselves on an earlier thread. But I've noticed that more and more people - people who would normally come under the heading of 'silent majority' - are speaking out in support of the Jewish community. Why? Because we see no logical basis for the hostility other than the bullying of a much smaller demographic, based on historical, lazy, stereotypes.

I don't accept that British Jews are in any way, shape or form accountable for Israeli government policy. You're not held accountable for the actions of the British government when you're British, so logically how can you be held accountable for those of a foreign state? It's absurd.

Speaking as a non-Jew I feel very, very uncomfortable that anti-Semitism is on the rise in GB because tolerance is one of our most prized values. I feel strongly that it's time for those who would normally remain quiet to call it out for what it is and stamp on it.

I hope these worrying times for you are very short-lived and that you can soon go about your lives without fear. Take care x