Could a peace wristband appeal to those feeling politically homeless?

[Whatnow777]

I think what happened on October 7th is disgusting and honestly my worst nightmare as a mother - if one of my children were captured and tortured like those hostages. I also hate the rise of anti-Semitism in this country. At the same time, I am pro-peace and do feel for those innocent people in Gaza. I’m also anti-Hamas and feel that the regime should be abolished, and I do not want Sharia law in this country.

I have met people wearing ‘Pro Palestine’ bracelets who are anti Istraeli/ anti Jew (I have spoken to said people) and that scares me. (I know it might not be all).

The reason why I am posting this now is I have noticed so many of these wristbands and nothing in support of the Jews, for everything they have gone through /are going through.

My thoughts are that there may be a vast number of people who share my views, who want Jews to be protected in this country, who do not want sharia law in our country, who oppose the extremist acts that have been perpetrated in this country against whoever, and who also wish for peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

It feels like our voices are not heard because we are not ‘one-sided’ as such, but perhaps are one sided in terms of being against hate and terrorism.

AIBU to think a wristband centred on peace, humanity and opposition to extremism could resonate with people who feel politically homeless in the current debate.

Or she could continue levelling out support for Jews, which is far outweighed by the support to Palestine, What about the rest of the Jewish population, who live in fear?

You've not read my post properly. I didn't say that the flags on lamp posts were causing attacks on Muslims. I suggested that Islamophobic rhetoric by movements such as Unite the Kingdom (for example scaremongering about Sharia law) is the most likely cause of the documented increase in Islamophobic incidents. It's also clear that those who are likely to attend the Unite the Kingdom events are also likely to be putting up England flags everywhere.

Maybe you don't think it's a problem that the speakers at the Unite the Kingdom event this May were saying things like "It is absolutely vital, if we want to save this country, we have to remove Islam from every single place of authority"

And they had a speaker from a French anti-immigration women's group. Three women from the group came on stage dressed as Muslim women wearing the niqab, and encouraged the audience to boo and chant “take it off,” before removing their coverings and revealing different outfits underneath.

British Muslims should feel safe on the streets, just as British Jews should. It's not antisemitism to point out that the far right is a threat (indeed there is a consistent history of antisemitism within the far right).

Home Office statistics for England and Wales (year ending March 2025 show that Jewish people experienced the highest rate of religious hate crime at 106 incidents per 10,000 population, compared with 12 per 10,000 for Muslims. This indicates a substantially higher recorded rate of victimisation per head of population for Jewish people. To be clear, as people keep wanting to push back on all of my comments. I ALSO don't condone violence against muslims! Both should be able to live peacefully in this country. There is a need for consistent public condemnation of all forms of religious hate - It seems that Jewish people are not receiving much support.

@Whatnow777 Thanks for sharing that stat. I'm not 'whatabouting' by bringing attacks on Muslims into the conversation. Just wanted to correct the statement that attacks on minorities other than Jewish people hadn't increased in the UK. I'm sure you'll agree that we ought to oppose all hate and intolerance.

The right, not far right isn't the threat to Jews.

I agree that they are not the most immediate threat to Jewish people here (although they are obviously an immediate threat to other minorities, e.g. what happened in Belfast).
But if you search 'antisemitism Reform councillor' plenty of stories come up about councillors and candidates sharing Holocaust denial or minimisation Rothschild/Jewish banking conspiracy content and Nazi imagery. Anti-semitism is not limited to left-wing politics and pro-Palestine activists.

It’s pointless and performative. Why would you bother?

I’m not Jewish, but I went to the Nova exhibition with my eldest last week. We have no qualms in telling people what we did in London and why we felt it was important to go.

I’m not sure what sort of signifier it might be appropriate to wear though. I think I might have a Hamsa 🪬 and an 🧿 bracelet somewhere, but more because I’m an old hippy than anything else. Lots of people seem to wear them though, likely without much thought to the symbolism.

I don't know about others, but I would neither notice nor care what kind of bracelets people wear, let alone get any 'political' message from them.

who do not want sharia law in our country

So how do you propose Muslims have a religious wedding or divorce, OP?

And why are you happy for Sikhs to have Sikh Court with Sikh law and Jews to have Jewish Court, but Muslims can't have a court for their marriage/divorce?

I only hope the Nova exhibition stays free of vandalism. You were very brave to go. I take it security will be very tight.

The place wasn’t that easy to find, but the staff at a nearby gym cafe were happy to direct us. Security around the exhibition was indeed tight, but very professional, friendly and efficient (DC and I thought likely experienced IDF). The surroundings were peaceful and there was no trouble at all. I would urge everyone to visit while it’s still on. A profoundly thought provoking and moving experience, which commemorated all the beautiful young people who died.
We were invited to watch a panel discussion afterwards, and the overarching theme was about moving forward, trying to establish dialogue and bring about lasting peace.