Antisemitism

[bubbleandsqueak1976]

I read the posts on here with interest and often the subject of anti semitism comes up. I was brought up in a town in the South East. My mum gave me a book about Anne Frank when I was around 8 and I can remember asking ' what is a Jew?' as I had never met one. When I was about 14 a girl from northern Israel came to my school and I was asked to befriend her and help her settle in. I can remember being fascinated about her life in a Kibbutz and she used to show me
Hebrew writing. I don't recall ever hearing anything anti semitic about her or her brother as the only two Jewish kids - to my knowledge in the school. I also remember in my twenties encountering a group of lads from North London - white something and them having an absolute hatred for Jewish people. I can remember feeling utterly shocked as I'd never heard anti Jewish speak prior to this. Reading some of the recent posts on here it has made me wonder wherever there are pockets in the Uk with Jewish communities that experience antisemitism where the rest of the UK it does not occur as people simply have never met a Jewish person just their life- to their knowledge.Where I live I have only met 4 Jewish people in the Uk in my life and I am 47. The most Jewish people I have met were in Israel when I visited in 2000.

I'm not sure - I would assume so but who knows 😬

It’s absolutely hideous.
please accept my support ( from an Irish Christian) for what it’s worth 🙏🏻

it's worth everything 🙏

🙏🏻💕💕

I'm lost for words.
Just... Can't find any.
Which is not like me.

I'm so sorry that antisemitism is so normalised.
(Not Jewish. C of E.)

Awful, I'm so sorry.

This terrible rise in anti-Semitism is very worrying, I am not Jewish, just wanted to let you know there are many people who stand with you and despise the vileness of others who are determined to rewrite history, so sorry for all of humanity.

So far this only seems to have appeared in local news, but it's really really worrying - an escaltation from the grafitti into a physical attack. A boy wearing a yarmulke was shot in the head with an air rifle:

https://dorseteye.com/26-year-old-ferndown-man-arrested-following-attack-with-an-air-rifle-on-a-jewish-boy-in-bournemouth/

Horrific 😢😢🙏🏻

Awful :(

Love to anyone in Manchester today 💔

We just had fireworks going off here. The same happened on October 7th. Doubt it's a coincidence. It's beyond heartbreaking how truly awful people are

Its devastating, absolutely heartbreaking X

Love and solidarity to the Jewish community today. There are no words 😥.

Honestly, my faith in human nature has been sorely tested even more than usual today.

I can’t believe this, it’s so upsetting to hear. Keir Starmer saying all the right things but taking no action.

Kier starmer is one of the main contributors to this. All I heard were more words. It’s all bullshit. 300,000 Jews in the uk versus 4,000,000 Muslims. There isn’t enough of us to bother with and the silent majority who might sympathise are, um, silent and passive. Just like when we were herded into the gas chambers.

I stand with you and I know many more who do.
The next question is what can we do to support you.

https://bod.org.uk/bod-news/two-years-since-oct-7/

Someone on another thread suggested donating to the Community Security Trust as a means of showing solidarity.

When you donate, you're asked why, and you can click on 'recent news' as being your motivating factor.

The whole atmosphere in the UK, allowed to develop by politicians, the media and the police, has brought us to this point.

Yes, I clicked that too. An important message to feed back tnrough the CST.

Felt very emotional dropping the children off at school today. Heightened security. A lot of the Jewish parents (it’s a Jewish school but we’re a minority) looking very shaken.

Sending love to everyone.

I'm so, so sorry. Please know that I stand in solidarity with you. Unless someone can suggest a more appropriate alternative before Monday I'll make a donation to the CST. It doesn't feel enough.

Exactly. Well, I stand with you all.

In response to @quantumbutterfly's great question about what can be DONE to support the Jewish community and fight against antisemitism, I asked Chat GPT. This is a good list to start from. I can't attest to all the media sources but the BBC and Al Jezeera are omitted so that's positive.

🧭 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?

Nobody in the media seems to have asked the question why Jewish communal buildings and gatherings need such high levels of security in the first place. As Jews we are used to having had these precautionary measures in place but can you imagine if churches needed the same levels of protection. Why is it just accepted that Jews will be the target of attacks and therefore need protection

I'm not Jewish but wanted to offer solidarity and support. I am angered and appalled by the murders yesterday. I too think Keir Starmer, and the whole government, have contributed to the atmosphere and rhetoric which has escalated to this point. I never thought I would see in the UK what I have seen in the past two years.