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.

Someone mentioned donating to CST and I think that’s a great idea. If you’re not in a position to do that then you can still speak out.

Not one of my friends has messaged me after yesterday. Not to ask if we are okay or acknowledge what happened. Many of them continue to post stories about Gaza on their social media but not one of them as acknowledged this.

Reach out to Jews you know who will be frightened. Post a story about how you are thinking of those affected by this and don’t justify it or caveat it or use it to compare what’s happening Gaza. Don’t speculate on the victims thoughts about Israel. Just send out one kind and compassionate thought for the people murdered right here yesterday just for being Jewish.

Write to your MP about the growing antisemitism problem. The Jewish community it too small to make anyone listen. If you’re the silent majority then please don’t be silent now. Don’t let them shrug us off or dismiss what’s happened. It’s so easy to think you won’t bother because it won’t make a difference but your voices show what voters care about. Please show you care about Jews. Make this impossible to ignore.

You don’t have to ONLY care about Jews. But yesterday, there was a terrorist attack killing and injuring Jews just for who they are. You don’t have to stop caring about other causes but maybe just for one measly letter, one social media story, one text message, we can let it be about Jews.

Russia is a Christian country. Do Christians in the UK or around the world get targeted or blamed for the Putin and Russia's actions in Ukraine?
No because it's all just an excuse for anti semitism.
Anti semitism was, for a while after WWII, socially unacceptable but in recent years both the far right and more so the far left have embraced it.

The world is a poorer place without him.

"I have yet to see a pro Palestinian that isn't despicable" ....WOW!!

That says everything about you @PollyPaintsFlowers

You aren't someone I'd converse with.

I'm Jewish. I'm grateful for the support of some of the posters on this thread. It really is a balm to have people say they've clocked the rise of anti-Jew hatred and are appalled by it.

I'm copying and pasting the text below from another thread I've read as I think it's very pertinent for the mainly non-Jewish audience here on the Conflict in the Middle East board.

Some posters have discussed what concrete actions they can take to make a stand against antisemitism. Here's a good list that a poster got from asking Chat GPT. She said she can't attest to all the media sources and nor can I but there are some helpful ideas here.

From my perspective, the safety and security of British Jews is in the hands of non-Jews. If non-Jews care at all about living in a society that's safe for all of its citizens then I, for one, am grateful for any actions you take.

🧭 1. Speak Out — Consistently and Publicly
Challenge antisemitism wherever you encounter it — your voice matters.
In Conversation

• When someone makes a generalisation about Jews
• “That sounds like a stereotype — can we unpack where that idea comes from?”
• When someone conflates Jewish identity with Israeli government policy
• “Not all Jews are Israeli, and not all Israelis support their government. It’s important to separate identity from politics.”
• When someone dismisses antisemitism as ‘not a big issue’
• “Actually, antisemitism is rising sharply in the UK. Jewish communities are feeling unsafe — it’s something we all need to take seriously.”
• When someone uses coded language (e.g. ‘globalist’, ‘Zionist cabal’)
• “That kind of language has a long history of being used to target Jews. Can we talk about the issue without using conspiracy terms?”

Online

• When antisemitic content is shared or liked
• Comment publicly: “This post promotes harmful stereotypes about Jewish people. Please reconsider sharing it.”
• Report the content to the platform.
• When antisemitism is ignored in discussions about racism or oppression
• “Can we include antisemitism in this conversation? It’s often overlooked, but it’s very real and rising.”
• When misinformation about Israel or Jewish people is shared
• “This claim isn’t accurate — here’s a source that gives more context. It’s important to be careful with information that can fuel hate.”
• When Jewish voices are drowned out
• “Let’s make space for Jewish perspectives here — they’re directly affected and deserve to be heard.”

📚 2. Educate Yourself and Others

• Learn about contemporary antisemitism, including how it manifests in progressive spaces, conspiracy theories, and anti-Zionist rhetoric.
• Read books, attend webinars, and follow Jewish educators and organisations.
• Help others understand that antisemitism is not just historical — it’s happening now.

🤝 3. Check In and Show Up Be present, supportive, and visible in your allyship.

• Ask your Jewish friends how they’re doing, especially after antisemitic incidents.
• Attend rallies, vigils, or cultural events to show solidarity.
• Volunteer with Jewish organisations or offer practical help (e.g., accompanying friends to events if they feel unsafe).
• Support Jewish-owned businesses and creators, especially those speaking out publicly.
• Send messages of support to Jewish colleagues, neighbours, and friends.
• Visit open synagogue days or Jewish cultural events to learn and show solidarity.

🏛️ 4. Hold Institutions Accountable Push for structural change and responsible leadership.

• Write to your MP asking what they’re doing to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.
• Challenge biased or misleading media coverage — submit complaints or letters to editors.
• Push for better education in schools about Jewish history, the Holocaust, and modern antisemitism.
• Encourage workplaces to include antisemitism in DEI training — many don’t, and it’s a major gap.
• Support watchdog organisations like CST and Campaign Against Antisemitism — donate, share their work, or volunteer.
• Hold universities accountable for antisemitism on campus — demand better reporting mechanisms and consequences.
• Support curriculum reform and inclusion of Jewish voices in national education and diversity frameworks.

🧠 5. Be an Ally All Year Round Make allyship a sustained commitment, not just a reaction.

• Include Jewish voices in diversity and inclusion conversations.
• Recognise that antisemitism is often overlooked — and commit to changing that.
• Stay informed and engaged even when the news cycle moves on.
• Support Jewish causes and organisations regularly, not just during crises.
• Challenge antisemitism in all spaces, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

🔍 6. Seek Out Non-Mainstream Media and Spot Bias Understand the full picture and help others do the same. Sources to Explore

• Times of Israel – Balanced reporting with a range of voices.
• Haaretz – Left-leaning Israeli outlet with critical analysis.
• Jerusalem Post – Centrist to right-leaning, global Jewish coverage.
• Jewish News UK – Covers UK Jewish community and antisemitism.
• MEMRI – Translates and analyses Arabic, Persian, and Turkish media.
• BICOM – UK-based think tank offering briefings and analysis.
• HonestReporting – Monitors media bias against Israel and Jewish communities.
• UnHerd – UK outlet with underrepresented and contrarian views.
• Tablet Magazine – Jewish publication with cultural and political commentary.
• Fathom Journal – UK-based academic journal focused on Israel and the region.

Tips to Spot Media Bias

• What’s missing? Are Jewish voices included? Is antisemitism acknowledged or minimised?
• Language use: Are emotionally charged terms used selectively?
• Source selection: Are quotes balanced across perspectives? Are only activist or partisan sources cited?
• Visual framing: Are images used to evoke sympathy or anger selectively?
• Patterns over time: Does the outlet consistently ignore antisemitic incidents or disproportionately criticise Jewish or Israeli perspectives?

What a shame, you might get on like a house on fire...lots of shouting and swearing and possibly emergency services involved.

Good list. Thank you. London on Sunday.

@NoFutureHere me neither; not a single one of my friends has mentioned it or checked in. It's really incredible. I feel so alone.

🫂

“Israel stopped aid boats” sounds as if the boats were carrying a significant amount of aid, whereas even the organisers of the flotilla say the amount is symbolic.

I'm sorry to hear that @didalittlenamechange. They should have reached out to you imo. It isn't an excuse, but perhaps it isn't so much because they don't care but perhaps they just don't know what to say?

This comment while people on another thread are arguing that everyone knows the amount of aid on board is only symbolic… No, they really don’t.

I’m really sorry to hear that.

The problem is that someone says something like “Israel stopped aid boats” and countless others will just repeat the soundbite and spread it far and wide.

It shows I have standards

That's ok, I won't miss you

Spot on @inamarina. The basic lack of comprehension, critical thinking and responsible communication is scary. And that's not just on this issue - but social media in general.

No matter that there's a blockade and the flotilla was given numerous opportunities to offload its aid so it could be transported into Gaza by usual means. People need to really think about the flotilla's motivation. Clue - it's not aid, it's PR.

I am sorry you are in the same position.

It is extraordinarily lonely.

I cannot believe in 2025 I am bringing my children up in this.

Thank you to those on these threads who have expressed support.

Ik it’s just repeating stuff on SM.

Thanks, @MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack - and that's a kind angle to take on it. I hope you're right.

It's just unfortunate, if that's the case, that they all seem to know exactly what to say about the political situation overseas in the abstract and theoretical (and have made time to do extensive 'research' into it all so they can sound informed at dinner parties), but no clue what to do when someone nearby actually has some skin in the game.

Yeah, that's rubbish. And tbh, I often don't know what to say in these situations but I always think it's better to say something rather than nothing. Even if it's simply "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say, but are you ok?"

@NoFutureHere , @didalittlenamechange and others. I don't know anyone Jewish in real life but I see you and I am thinking of you.
I've always had a fundamental hatred of anti-Semitism which seems to be a socially acceptable form of racism. It seems worse from the far left than the far right who at least own it and don't pretend it's something else.

I live in a village in the NE and I don't know anyone who supports the anti Jewish marches, if the subject comes up people openly condem them, it's like a different universe.

Thank you @BrinkWomanship and @NoFutureHere for those concrete suggestions. I said on another thread that most of us won't know any Jewish people in real life to offer support, it's such a tiny population. You are quite right that the security of British Jewish people lies in our hands too. We need to step up.

Edited for clarity

I'm Jewish. Not a single non-Jewish friend reached out to me after October 7 to express sorrow. Not one. Not even the ones who posted things like the French flag all over their SM after Bataclan. Or Ukrainian flags after Russia invaded Ukraine. I've seen many of them on MN talk about the horrors in Gaza, with justification of course. But not one ever said to me they were sad and sorry about the October 7.

I reached out to my Thai friends after October 7 because 39 Thai nationals died in October 7. I worked in Bangkok for 2 years in the late 1990s and still have friends. i reached out and expressed my sorrow and horror.

Not a single friend has reached out to me after yesterday's horror. I was prepared to let it go after October 7. Perhaps my friends did not understand the true hurt october 7 caused for Jews... the pain, the fear, the horror, the trauma.

After today with nothing- nup. It's deliberate. As David Baddiel says- Jews don't count and our suffering doesn't count.

I’m reading that two of the victims were actually shot by the police , resulting in one of the deaths? Has this been verified at all?

Daily mail has said that