Thoughts to the Jewish community in the UK

[Ihatetomatoes]

There is a massive rise in anti semitism in the UK and other countries. Jewish people here have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza, nothing at all.

The rise in anti semitism is disgusting.

Sending thoughts to the victims, their family and friends. No one should feel terrorised in the UK. People should feel safe here.

Thank you for the reminder. I just texted a Jewish friend. We are in Ireland but of course these things are very frightening happening just across the water.

It is horrific that Jewish people in Britain are targeted because of what’s happening in Gaza. Nobody should be targeted or in fear because of their religious beliefs.

I’m so sorry to hear that non of your non-Jewish friends reached out to you after October 7th 💐
It’s so incomprehensible, like it’s a blind spot for some people.
Even (or especially?) for those who are usually very outspoken about any other social issues.

You may know them but not know they're Jewish. Many people don't outwardly express their faith for many reasons.

So has the BBC.

It’s horrendous. For the police and victim. They were behind the door bravely trying to stop entry, presumably unknown to police.

I find it hard to tell people I'm Jewish. It's a scary thing to disclose. It feels like I'm handing my safety to someone I don't know well. I understand that my disclosure will change perceptions of me. I'm blond (ish!), live in a 'middle England' area and don't conform to stereotypes. My family have been living in and contributing to the UK for 150 years; we are very anglicised.

This attack has emboldened me a little to be more vocal about it. I want people to know we're 'normal' (such a loaded term) and that Jewish people are having a shit time. I told two people at the gym this morning and one of my neighbours in conversation (I didn't just announce it, it was pertinent to our chats!) but they were very supportive and curious.

I also posted on my social media how scared and vulnerable Jews are feeling. By being so proactive about it, I had lots of friends reach out to me to offer support. Before my social media activity, two friends had spontaneously got in touch. Amplifying my message seemed to have a good effect. I'd encourage more Jewish people to do the same. To reach beyond our usual safe spaces of voicing our fears to other Jews so that those who have the power to do something about it might become more educated, engaged and active. It's not a panacea by any stretch but a useful thing to do nevertheless.

I think this is true. I have been wondering if there are people that we know and don't realise that they are Jewish. I would hate to think that they might be wondering why we haven't reached out to them.

Hamas didn’t invent anti-Semitism. To pretend it’s their fault denies the problems we have in the U.K. with it, always have done. One might argue the Israeli government has also led to a rise, but the truth is, those who are anti-Semitic need no encouragement.

Just as being Jewish doesn’t mean supporting what is happening in Palestine, being against Israel doesn’t make someone anti-Semitic. One is a political view and one is a religious view.

Do they know you are Jewish? I have no idea if any of the people I know are Jewish/catholic/protestant/mormon etc. But even if they did, I’m not sure I would think about whether an attack on somewhere that other than sharing a religious commonality has no link to them, would affect them personally. Should we do this for any event that shares a commonality with our friends? If someone attacks a school, do we reach out to everyone who has kids at a school, for example?

Yeah who’s behind the funding of things like this.
Who is funding this hate.

That must be so upsetting that no friends reached out to check you were ok after 7/10 or yesterday's attack. Even a private message would have been better than nothing if they didn't want to put support for Israel on their social media (though a reluctance to do this on 7/10 would also be wrong).

I don't know what to say but sorry you have been affected by this. Your friends are shit friends. That is not a comforting response, I'm aware.

I started going down this rabbit hole a while back. Lots of things link back to Qatar

Yes I see it.

Follow the money. Could FIFA be changed to fafo? Depends whether people care enough.
Apparently boycotts are very effective, but Qatar hosted a world cup without much furore.

Is this for real?

Thank you I am always interested in who is sponsoring and funding hate.
Going to sound like a conspiracy theorist but I despise people like Soros.

Another rabbit hole when you hear academics speak is to see who sponsors their research, and obviously what that research is.

Lots of money being gratefully received by education.

Everyone who knows me at all knows I’m Jewish. I host Chanukah parties and all sorts. My kids have stood up in front of their entire school and talked about different holidays. We don’t hide at all.

I’ve had 2 texts from friends. I appreciate them greatly but I am a bit surprised. Many people know what happened to my daughter last year so they know I’m anxious

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_involvement_in_US_higher_education

https://www.ft.com/content/fa6d15a4-f6ed-11e8-af46-2022a0b02a6c

I'm sorry that you haven't had more support. And I don't know what happened to your daughter last year, but I'm also very sorry if she has been the victim of antisemitism. Please be assured that many of us are horrified by the hatred that is being shown to your community. And that includes many of us who may have strong views about the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. It is absurd and offensive to suggest that Jewish people in Britain bear any responsibility whatsoever for the actions of a government on another continent.

Agree completely.

Likewise

Would be nice if people would stop killing each other and coexist peacefully, yes. We can at least address that issue in our home countries, that is within our power though history warns that can quickly change.
Most people would not have predicted war breaking out in Europe again, and yet it has.
Peace is hard won and some in the UK at the moment seem unaware of that, or maybe they're not invested enough in peace on their doorstep.

They're British. It's not their government.

Yes exactly. Should British people be targeted with hate and murdered because of the actions of the British government abroad? Now or in the long lost past? Should Orthodox Christians throughout eastern Europe/ the Balkans etc be expected to account for the actions of Putin?

No-one, but no-one expects all Muslims to answer for the actions of Hamas. Or thr Houthis. Or Isis. Or Al-Qaida. Why should Jewish people with no connection to Israel be expected to answer for the actions of a Netanyahu government? It's nonsensical.