Anti semitism - Bondi beach - when will it stop?

[mids2019]

Thoughts and prayers to those killed and injured in Australia.

Thank you for posting the text.

I think the people who most need to read that blog would in all likelihood choose not to post on a link to Times of Israel for fear they might read something that makes them face up to how vile the social media war actually is.

For years Australia has had a massive problem with a “just don’t rock the boat” mentality, hence why they ended up with gender self ID. It was also manifested by the hysterical response to covid.

I spend a lot of time there and have been shocked at the growing anti semitism on display. I was harassed last year simply because I very politely declined to take a flyer for a pro - Palestine march. The two women felt emboldened to follow and jeer at me although I had expressed no opinion one way or the other. I was particularly shocked as it was in St Kilda, historically a Jewish suburb. I’m not Jewish.

That was just a snippet, but it shows the power of idiots (often young women) fanning the flames of antisemitism online while congratulating themselves on their virtue signalling.

I suspect the main culprits would not even open a link to a TOI article because it's obviously Hasbara (a word that quickly caught on as a way of dismissing any information not supplied by Hamas!).

Of all the shocking things I have read this ranks at the top. A list of Jewish people published publicly and theatened (under the premise that they are Zionists FFS) is the lowest of the low.

I am not disagreeing with you there.

I am saying that people should be able to do this.

I remember St Kilda! Such a vibrant place, or at least it was. Lots of fabulous Jewish bakeries, and plenty of men and boys in full Hasidic garb.

The fact that these so-called "pro-Palestinians" chose that particular area shows what their actual intentions were: to harass and intimidate, making it as clear as possible that Jews can literally go to the ends of the Earth* and still be unsafe and unwelcome.

The fact that they followed you around like that shows how confident they feel that antisemitism of this kind is far from discouraged: it can be worn now like a badge of honour.

*apologies for the Eurocentricity of this comment - I know it depends how you draw the map! - but you know what I mean...!

Eh? What's stopping them?
People in Australia (including Jews) can and do criticise the Israeli government all day and all of the night. They can do it till the cows come home. Nobody is trying to stop anyone saying the war is terrible and Netanyahu should be voted out and the settlers need to go and there should be a 2 state solution.

What is anti Semitic is cartoons of Netanyahu devouring babies, references to Jews' tentacles, IDF depicted as nazis, Zionism as an evil belief, deplatforming and doxing of Jews who support the existence of the world's only Jewish state and its right to defend itself, and calls for the world's only Jewish state to be wiped off the map.

Its not that difficult to constructively criticise Israel.... for people who don't hate Jews.

100% @Beachtastic I was actually with my daughter and they also targeted her. They just couldn’t believe that not everyone saw the world as they do and took great exception.

I have seen this attitude a lot in Australia, a highly educated old school friend of mine told me over lunch that “I don’t agree with that Hamas did on October 7” as if any sane person could support mass murder, rape and abduction of everyone from old people to babies, some of whom weren’t even Jewish. Shocking.

It is the arse end of the world, that's why it's called down under!

Ha! I did live there for a few years, and remember being taken aback at just how long the flight was. You pass over all the furthest points you've ever considered visiting in Europe, then all the arid stretches of the Middle East, then the vast continent of India, then spend hours and hours and hours over the undulating dense jungles of South East Asia, and you're still not even close. 🤯🤯🤯

@Teddleshon1 How generous of your friend to not agree with 7/10! Perhaps s/he felt Hamas and the Gazan mobs took things just a little too far, although obviously their intentions were sound 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ve actually been too much of a coward if truth be told when it comes to anti - Semitism, too many of my friends have made terrible comments and I’ve just changed the subject. New Year’s resolution is to always speak out; Bondi was a turning point for me.

Thank you. I have got the impression Bondi has been a turning point for a lot of people.

The comment 'I don't agree with what Hamas did but ...' is so frequently heard I can't believe that people still say it and think they are on the right side of history.

They do though 😞

Those symbols are dreadful aren’t they?

I see we both support constructive valid criticism of Israel, and both agree that what Israel does or does not do should be linked with antisemitism?

I am not sure why you think I said anything contentious? Like you, I also support leaders taking a strong stance against antisemitism.

I only add that where appropriate they acknowledge concerns their citizens may have about treatment of Palestinians, but this is not excuse for antisemitism. I really think that will be a powerful message.

But it's not surprising when you consider that only one in four British
Muslims believe Hamas committed murder and rape in Israel on October 7th.

https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HJS-Deck-200324-Final.pdf

That disgusting. That's a major problem that is ignored.

Please, please speak out.

The anti semitic people actually think their comments are ok. I'm glad some people are seeing the harm done by antisemitism. Enough is enough.

Unfortunately society is such that you have to ignore such facts and anti semitism because otherwise you end up labelled racist, islamaphobic, far right etc etc.

It's totally wrong. Why does society accept this!

Im pleased to see tgat Australia is finally looking at the mistakes it has made. Jewish people are very welcome.

I mean what exactly do you think needs to happen? Concerns about Palestine are acknowledged all the time. Relentlessly imo. Starting right after 7/10.
The UK and Australia have both recognised a Palestinian state. The rhetoric for 2 years has been all about the suffering in Gaza. The protests have been allowed to run with minimal interference even when they've included the above imagery.

It's NOT appropriate for leaders to include "oh and I acknowledge concerns about Israel's actions" when responding to an antiSemitic terrorist attack.

Everyone reasonable, including Israelis and diaspora Jews, supports the right to legitimately criticise Israel and I'm not sure (well I am actually) why you feel the need to bang on about it on a thread that's about the murder of Jews. You think you're so smart.

Yes, relentlessly. "Concerns about Palestine" dominate our streets, our music festivals, Eurovision FFS, and create a climate of fear in workplaces where everyone must toe the line. Groupthink was never so sinister, or at least not in my lifetime. I just lived my life assuming that the lessons of history had been learned and that insidious fascism would never again raise its ugly head. Especially in our mostly tolerant, liberal country. Unfortunately the physical attacks of 7/20 were just a way of capturing the headlines for a new kind of war: one that instantly leveraged social media. There is an enormous amount of wealth and power pulling the strings.

This link goes some way towards explaining the avalanche of revolting lies that dominated the CITME forum in immediate aftermath of 7/10 and for a year or so later. It makes for an interesting read.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/social-media-platforms-were-not-ready-hamas-misinformation

Not sure why you’re making it personal?

I agree timing is appropriate- and agree it is imperative to concentrate on antisemitism after the Bondi attack.

I can’t speak about what leaders have said in Australia- but I have kept upto date with what has been said in the UK and the USA. I don’t think there have been frank conversations by our leaders, but I have heard brave conversations being had by both Jewish and Muslim community leaders.

IMO more can be done to build bridges in communities. Again not sure why this is so controversial.

Thanks for sharing. People believe the misinformation from Hamas so very quickly, with no thought tgat a terrorist organisation might not always tell the truth. Gullible, or happy to jump in due to antisemitic believe.

I have a feeling there's a bit of patronising racism going on, too. There seems to be an assumption that Hamas and its wealthy allies couldn't possibly be internet savvy or have a sophisticated media strategy..