Scared to be Jewish

[WibbleWobbleFlop]

I am not pro-IDF or pro-Hamas, in fact I am very strongly against both. Netanyahu's government is an ultra-right wing aggressive shitshow and Hamas is an "elected" group of cowardly murdering terrorists. I am horrified for all Israeli and Palestinian civilians. I can't even begin to imagine how those poor innocent people of Gaza are carrying on, nor how the hostages and families are coping. I want nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace side by side in a democratic two-state solution.

I am a secular Jew. I live in the UK. I am supposedly safe, as are my children.

But I don't feel like we will be safe much longer. Hamas wants the annihilation of all Jews, not just the destruction of the state of Israel. It's not about freeing Palestine to them. It is about eliminated an entire ethnicity. My ethnicity.

When Jews were targeted in the Holocaust, it didn't matter if they were religious, Orthodox, or secular. It didn't matter if they were in Poland or Germany or Russia. Jewish blood meant "evil".

Jewish ancestry is traceable. If Hamas gains further popularity in the Middle East (incredibly likely, given their links to Iran and Qatar), there is a real danger for literally every Jew in the world. I am seeing more and more Europeans and Americans leaning so far to the Palestinian side that they want Israel to stop being an accepted state. This gives so much more power to Hamas because any aid sent to Palestine is being spent on weapons and rockets being used against the Jews.

I'm sure I will be told I am overreacting. But I am scared. And I think I have every right to be.

The Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan (an Arab-Israeli Christian) has said that there were six Muslim children from Dagestan on the flight who were returning from being given cancer treatment in Israel.

Yes, I doubt many Israelis would be flying to Dagestan of all places.

I think the only way this ends is when all parties put down arms and obey international law and UN resolutions. Unfortunatly, I don't think either side is going to do that.

The Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan (an Arab-Israeli Christian) has said that there were six Muslim children from Dagestan on the flight who were returning from being given cancer treatment in Israel.

I don't even know what to say to that

It looks like the situation is still ongong, with mobs dragging people out of cars and attacking police cars.

I need to come off twitter for the evening. Just read about the Yemeni Houthis lobbing a ballistic missile towards Israel (fortunately intercepted), as well as the most upsetting detail yet about one of the 7 October atrocities which I desperately hope is untrue.

I think the only way this ends is when all parties put down arms and obey international law and UN resolutions. Unfortunatly, I don't think either side is going to do that.

Given that a resolution actually condemning the 7 October terrorst attacks didn't get voted through by the UN, I really doubt Israel is in any mood to listen to them.

"Gilad Menashe Erdan, the representative of Israel, said the world has witnessed that the United Nations “no longer holds even one ounce of legitimacy or relevance”."

I remember at the time of plane-hijackings and hostage-takings thinking it would be a good idea to get an Irish passport (which I was automatically entitled to do). Now I'm glad I've got one.

@EsmaCannonball I've got a second passport also, for a country that tends to be friendly with Russia and not exactly critical of Hamas. It's effing useless though, need a visa to go anywhere.

Apparently the plane was diverted. The mob were going around the airport and its environs stopping passengers and cars, looking for Israelis and Jewish people, a number of whom were being protected by armed guards.

When war broke out between Ukraine and Russia, I contacted Russian friends in uk. They were horrified and also scared for families on border who wouldn't move. Their young kid faced some shit in school and they had to speak to school. They were grateful for understanding that it wasn't their fault what government did. They live in uk with no influence.

I'm really sorry. I don't think you are overreacting either.

"Part of me would not be at all surprised if the Russians were directing that lynch mob because they really hate Israel and are really looking to stoke divisions at the moment. " @Esmacannonball.

Russia (as a nation) hating Israel is not strictly true. The Russia/Israel relationship is now better than it has ever been. Russia is Israels largest supplier of oil and Israel sells Russia quite a lot of military hardware. In addition there are many other lucrative economic deals, including uncut diamonds

Israel initially refused to criticise Putin's invasion of Ukraine. They subsequently did, but only after many other countries had done so. Remember there are strong ties between the two countries. Russian is the most widely spoken language in Israel after Hebrew and Arabic. Relationships between the two countries have been at their best when Netanyahu has been in power.
Vlad and Bibi..... what an horrific double act.

I wear a small Magen David, it was a gift from my mother, it is not a giant flashing neon "I'm Jewish" sign but it's reasonably obvious if you are looking.

I work in a very public facing role.

My DH suggested to me I might want to not wear it, or at least make sure it was covered, to avoid drawing any additional attention to my Jewishness.

I'm not living in fear exactly but I am much more aware of how being Jewish can make me a target. More cautious. Antisemitism is something I have experienced before and has always been a background threat, but now it is a foreground threat. The Internet in particular, is a pretty awful place to be right now. Incidents like the 23 and me hack too serve as a reminder of vulnerability, where maybe I had felt complacent and comfortable, expecting only the rarest of incidents. It brings into focus the generational trauma and the lasting impact that has.

Here we have a hat trick. One against Jewish people, one against Muslims, one who thinks we should nuke them both. I didn't even go looking for this.

x.com/zattowangai/status/1718716834126430547?s=46&t=G9BWOZlYGPa1_pR7aKkbHQ

x.com/louisru39958153/status/1718659972811403677?s=46&t=G9BWOZlYGPa1_pR7aKkbHQ

x.com/geocryptoaries/status/1718674348306035115?s=46&t=G9BWOZlYGPa1_pR7aKkbHQ

It’s awful. I know. My Arab Muslim children and family (as well as many thousands of others);have had to face this for years when visiting and living in the West for various reasons. In fact my son when at Uni in Scotland was attacked on a bus because he had a backpack and he was having a conversation with his friend in Arabic. The driver stopped the bus and the attackers jumped off. It all went to court though as a hate crime after the PF pressed charges. The attackers were found guilty but my son and his friend got more satisfaction out of the hiding they gave two of the attackers.

Muslims have walked a very hard road for many years when in the West, especially since the 9/11 atrocities, and I can say without a doubt they’ll understand how you feel right now.

Its awful. Isn’t it.

I’m so sorry you feel this way. I don’t think it’s likely to happen but I understand why you are worried. We are currently seeing the depths of anti-Semitism that still lurks - even here in the UK.

For me, it’s telling that you feel you have to start your post with a declaration of support for Palestine etc. Israel has a right to exist as a nation and to defend itself, particularly against a terrorist organisation which wants to kill all the Jews.

I have Jewish friends who feel unsafe - here in the UK. This shaming for the rest of us. I’m so sorry.

He should be fired and shamed.

Should we start hitting Muslimsin uk because of what hamas did? Why when is about Jews people think it's OK to hurt them?

I'm not Jewish but I find disgusting how people normalise antisemitism.

There were 1652 Anti-Semitic incidents reported to the Community Security Trust in the United Kingdom in 2022, compared with 2261 in 2021 (from https://www.statista.com/statistics/383740/antisemitic-incidents-reported-uk-y-on-y/) 

Between April 2021 and March 2022 there were 3,459 hate crimes committed against Muslims in England and Wales, (from www.statista.com/statistics/623880/islamophobic-hate-crimes-england-and-wales/#:~:text=Number%20of%20hate%20crime%20offences%20against%20Muslims%20England%20and%20Wales%202017%2D2022&text=Between%20April%202021%20and%20March,in%20the%20previous%20reporting%20year.)

The total number of people self-identifying as Jews in England and Wales in 2021 was 271,327. (from https://www.jpr.org.uk/reports/jews-britain-2021-first-results-census-england-and-wales)

proportion of the overall population who identified as “Muslim” increased from 4.9% (2.7 million) in 2011 to 6.5% (3.9 million) in 2021. (https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/articles/religionbyageandsexenglandandwales/census2021#:~:text=Download%20the%20data,-.xlsx&text=It%20is%20important%20to%20note,(3.9%20million)%20in%202021.) 

So do all those saying you are far more likely to experience Islamophobia if your Muslim, then this isn't correct - statistically across the populations, as a percentage you are far more less likely from how i understand these numbers (I'm pretty unwell now so feel free to correct me)

The problem is that both sides conflate Israel and Jews. So people who hate what israel are doing, target Jews anywhere (or use it as an excuse) - but i have Jewish acquaintances/contacts who tell me that if i doubt/question anything that Israel is doing then i am antisemitic/holocaust denier/Hamas supporter etc.
I'm not - but as a non-jew i'm being silenced- moderate views are being silenced.
this isn't/shouldn't be Jews against non-jews , It should be normal people against murdering bastards extremist of all colours. i do think the unwavering support of the US and UK has made it worse- no-one should support any country without question/unwaveringly

@ForfarBridie Thank you for your empathy. I so feel for Muslims in the UK, who have put up with an unreasonable amount of hatred for the entirely unrelated actions of so few. You and your son deserve to feel safe here.

@Commonhousewitch
but i have Jewish acquaintances/contacts who tell me that if i doubt/question anything that Israel is doing then i am antisemitic/holocaust denier/Hamas supporter etc.

Nope not buying that. You've either made it up/twisted it to embellish your point, or you simply aren't listening to them properly because you have your own narrative already. I don't know any Jewish people who would come out with that, because Jews know that questioning anything Israel do is not antisemitic, let alone holocaust denial. Most UK Jews are in despair at Israel's ultra right wing govt and have been for many, many years. You just keep putting words in our mouths for us, and then cry you're being "silenced". It's becoming such a manipulative tactic and trope now.

How should Israel have reacted to the atrocities caused by Hamas? But for the actions of hamas none of this would be happening

I agree, I know a lot of Jewish people and never come across one that wasn't very happy to debate & criticise Israeli politics or have an open discussion about how Israel should respond to the existential threat it has always faced. I suspect the conversation narrows because of the way this person frames their crticism of Israel. It makes a huge difference.

There's not a shadow of a doubt in my mind as to who i stand with. I think our Jewish community is to be cherished and protected.
I believe the idea of a nation or homeland for a religion is hugely important, and I believe Israel has a right to take whatever measures needed to protect that when it is threatened to the degree it was with the slaughtering and torturing of its young people on that fateful day.

I am disgusted by what I see as a complete regression in our society with the levels of antisemitism happening across the UK. I urge everybody to listen to the latest episode of question time on BBC, the one recorded in Sheffield. One of the panellists (and he points this out, quite astounded) mentions Hamas as a terrorist organisation, and this invites aggressive heckling from one woman. As he himself says, it's interesting that THIS is the comment that attracts the ire. We have now reached the stage in our society apparently where one religion is afforded an absolute gold pass: I completely and utterly stand against fundamentalist ideologies that would seek not only to obliterate Israel, but should that mission be completed, to eradicate everything the west stands for too.

I believe that in the west we have been too lenient in providing space and consideration for death cults. I stand with Israel in its attempt to prevent its own physical annihilation, and am deeply saddened that in our western societies we have apparently allowed our own metaphysical annihilation to take place.

The Jewish community has brought to our wider society nothing but peace and as I see it a disproportionate contribute to the arts, culture, philosophy and science. The Jewish community has been WITHOUT EXCEPTION a friend, supporter and direct contributer to Western Values. That's a lot more than can be said for other sections of our society, and I cannot understand for the life of me why that hasn't been understood.

Actually I can. If its any consolation to any Jewish people reading this: I believe my perspective is the mainstream one, but unfortunately (and this is what I'd like to understand) it can't be voiced. But as we see time and time again in politics, don't worry about the vocal minority although I imagine you must feel afraid.

Please be confident that the vast silent majority respect and care for you. Its just that as you will hear on that Any Questions episode, the faintest whiff of speaking out against the organisations and philosophies that seek to undermine us results in a complete shutdown.

I stand with Israel and everything it represents and am doing my best to stand with the Jewish community although in today's climate, doing so is worryingly hard.

"there is no grey zone. You are either on the side of light or you are aligned with darkness"
"if you are tempted to reply to this with any form of condemnation of israel or attempts at "context" please terminate our connection or I will "
"if you want to advocate for proportionality in Israels response please terminate our connection"

I take real solace from these words. Thank you.

The reason Jewish people in the UK uphold western values is that western values ARE Jewish values. Respect, tolerance, charity.