Page 31 | Antisemitism

bubbleandsqueak1976 · 2024-03-25T19:22:49+00:00

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.

BeretInParis · 03/10/2025 16:14

After 7 Oct, I was moved to go to a shul Shabbat service (the first time in years). When I told my non-Jewish friends that I had to complete a form, send pictures of my passport, the URL to my LinkedIn profile, etc. so the shul security could double check who I was before I attended (because I'm not a member any more), they were absolutely flabbergasted. No one else has to deal with this shit.

MarieDeGournay · 04/10/2025 19:39

BeretInParis · 03/10/2025 11:21

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?

Thank you for this, BeretInParis it's very useful.

Deepest condolences to you all - I can find no more words, but these few are profoundly felt.

I can only be at the 7th October commemorative event in London tomorrow in spirit

In reality, I'll be at my local Jewish museum (which was officially opened by President Chaim Herzog) attending a talk:

Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Dr Cormac Moore will give a talk on Yitzhak Herzog, the first chief rabbi of the Irish Free State, who was a supporter of the Irish independence movement during the revolutionary decade. After 20 years in Ireland, in Belfast and Dublin, Herzog left Dublin to become Chief Rabbi of British Mandate Palestine in 1937, a role that became the most revered spiritual role in Judaism. Just over 10 years later, he became the first Chief Rabbi of the new state of Israel.

President Chaim Herzog was his son, President Isaac Herzog is his grandson.

I'm attending to hear the talk, but also just sit with, and stand strongly beside my Jewish compatriots at this time.

Humdingerydoo · 06/10/2025 13:05

x.com/elad_si/status/1974548670042501346?s=46

Calling to globalise the intifada just after a terrorist attack against a synagogue where people were murdered, injured and scarred for life both mentally and physically. These anti-Semitic useful idiots should all be arrested for supporting terrorist activity.

BeretInParis · 06/10/2025 14:57

Ooh but @Humdingerydoo they're peaceful marches, remember?! Just calling for a ceasefire and to stop the genocide. Nothing to see here. Oh no.

The police doing nothing to stop it is so bloody problematic. That's why Lammy was booed. And that's why none of us believe a word that comes our of Starmer's mouth.

What do we all think....? I'm curious.
Is it because there aren't enough police on these marches to arrest all the people who should be arrested? So it's a resources / logistics issue. And do we have enough people in the police force in the first place? Would arresting a whole of chanting racists / useful idiots at once cause a riot?
Or is it because the police simply don't care / get it / or sympathise?

EdithStourton · 06/10/2025 21:04

@BeretInParis
Or is it because the police simply don't care / get it / or sympathise?
I think there's a lack of will to do anything about it. It's not so much that the politicians, the police and the judiciary are themselves antisemitic (with obvious exceptions...) but that they seem to think that because British Jews are white (so they think) and successful, they are therefore not 'oppressed' and can look after themselves.

If they took antisemitism as seriously as it should be taken, those louts who drove around N London a few years ago shouting antisemitic abuse out of their car windows would not only have been arrested, they would have been charged - the effort would have been made to find the evidence for a criminal prosecution, rather than their wet-week attitude of, 'Oh, we can't find enough to have a reasonable chance of conviction...'

quantumbutterfly · 06/10/2025 22:43

EdithStourton · 06/10/2025 21:04

@BeretInParis
Or is it because the police simply don't care / get it / or sympathise?
I think there's a lack of will to do anything about it. It's not so much that the politicians, the police and the judiciary are themselves antisemitic (with obvious exceptions...) but that they seem to think that because British Jews are white (so they think) and successful, they are therefore not 'oppressed' and can look after themselves.

If they took antisemitism as seriously as it should be taken, those louts who drove around N London a few years ago shouting antisemitic abuse out of their car windows would not only have been arrested, they would have been charged - the effort would have been made to find the evidence for a criminal prosecution, rather than their wet-week attitude of, 'Oh, we can't find enough to have a reasonable chance of conviction...'

My conclusion is that authorities take the easiest route that avoids aggravating groups that can get aggressive eg appeasement.
It's akin to mob rule and the instigators know that they can utilise the optics of heavy handed policing to recruit.

catch 22 - don't deal with it is tacit acceptance allowing it to escalate till it causes social unrest which needs a heavy handed response which creates resentment and more social unrest.

In other words they're buggered if they do and buggered if they don't.

EdithStourton · 07/10/2025 09:11

quantumbutterfly · 06/10/2025 22:43

My conclusion is that authorities take the easiest route that avoids aggravating groups that can get aggressive eg appeasement.
It's akin to mob rule and the instigators know that they can utilise the optics of heavy handed policing to recruit.

catch 22 - don't deal with it is tacit acceptance allowing it to escalate till it causes social unrest which needs a heavy handed response which creates resentment and more social unrest.

In other words they're buggered if they do and buggered if they don't.

Show quote history

In which case perhaps they need to get in early with clear rules and boundaries.
Any demo which results in more than a certain number of arrests per capita won't be allowed a re-run next week, for example.

quantumbutterfly · 07/10/2025 10:17

EdithStourton · 07/10/2025 09:11

In which case perhaps they need to get in early with clear rules and boundaries.
Any demo which results in more than a certain number of arrests per capita won't be allowed a re-run next week, for example.

Show quote history

I think even those of us aware of the undercurrents before 7/10 were not expecting an anti-israel march to be organised on the day.
Liberality is less about social conscience and more about pushing boundaries now and that's a good way to get an authoritarian government the flavour of which will depend on a combination of populism (aka democracy) and motivation to vote.

EdithStourton · 07/10/2025 10:35

quantumbutterfly · 07/10/2025 10:17

I think even those of us aware of the undercurrents before 7/10 were not expecting an anti-israel march to be organised on the day.
Liberality is less about social conscience and more about pushing boundaries now and that's a good way to get an authoritarian government the flavour of which will depend on a combination of populism (aka democracy) and motivation to vote.

Show quote history

I certainly wasn't expecting it all to sweep into action so fast.

And yes, unless the government gets a grip on the encampments, people glueing themselves to roads etc, we could be in for very interesting time.

quantumbutterfly · 07/10/2025 11:01

EdithStourton · 07/10/2025 10:35

I certainly wasn't expecting it all to sweep into action so fast.

And yes, unless the government gets a grip on the encampments, people glueing themselves to roads etc, we could be in for very interesting time.

Show quote history

Have they completely abdicated responsibility for their peoples well-being (all of them), or haven't they noticed the water heating up around them?
Perhaps they're focused on Russia's shenanigans, another one fell out a window last week. Head of Pravda apparently.

BeretInParis · 07/10/2025 21:09

I’m sure Russia’s and China’s bot farms are seeding much of our civil unrest. Divide and conquer is a thing, after all.

EllaDisenchanted · 07/10/2025 21:37

still practicing.

quantumbutterfly · 07/10/2025 21:45

EllaDisenchanted · 07/10/2025 21:37

still practicing.

I wouldn't want her anywhere near me or mine.

stomachamelon · 07/10/2025 21:51

I do not understand how this is still the case. I hope that post is enough to get her removed.

EllaDisenchanted · 07/10/2025 21:56

stomachamelon · 07/10/2025 21:51

I do not understand how this is still the case. I hope that post is enough to get her removed.

If what she has posted about ‘Jewish supremacy’ has not been enough, then why would this be the tipping point 🙃

stomachamelon · 07/10/2025 22:05

@EllaDisenchantedliterally other situation she would be removed. I was going to write I don’t get it. But I do.

stomachamelon · 07/10/2025 22:10

The CAA is appealing the decision and asking for a judicial review. I am hoping the fact that this case has some traction and attention she will be (at least) suspended whilst they investigate.

Humdingerydoo · 07/10/2025 23:51

EllaDisenchanted · 07/10/2025 21:37

still practicing.

Fucking disgusting.

I thought it was illegal to support terrorism in this country? Isn't that why they're arresting all those Palestine Action demonstrators?

She needs to be arrested and she needs to lose her license.

Diamond82 · 08/10/2025 21:38

Update on the Doctor:

ErroltheSwampDragon · 08/10/2025 22:03

Diamond82 · 08/10/2025 21:38

Update on the Doctor:

Good news that they are re-investigating her (and are looking at new rules to automatically suspend doctors in similar cases) but like CAA say, it wouldn't have been required if they just did their jobs properly the first time.
It seems ironic that a panel tasked with deciding whether doctors have caused damage to the profession and the public's trust, have themselves caused so much damage.

stomachamelon · 08/10/2025 22:22

Just posted….

stomachamelon · 08/10/2025 22:48

I have also seen that they have said there is 20 living hostages but that they cannot account for between 7-15 bodies of hostages killed. They are asking for time to locate them. Negotiators have been told they may never be recovered.

The irony with the exact figures the Hamas Health Ministry come out with…….

Anyway I am sorry if this causes any distress I was looking for the most appropriate place to post.

EllaDisenchanted · 08/10/2025 22:49

stomachamelon · 08/10/2025 22:22

Just posted….

Thank you for posting 🙏 please Gd this happens, and it happens quickly

I’m gonna make a new general chat thread on jewish mumsnetters for all of us. Could you post it there as well so everyone is up to date?

stomachamelon · 08/10/2025 23:21

@EllaDisenchantedof course

InsectsMatter · 09/10/2025 16:07

Echobelly · 25/03/2024 20:17

Lack of knowledge is a major problem with antisemitism. I'm Jewish and I think people are often unaware of how few of us there are in the UK. They may assume we are just 'keeping ourselves to ourselves' target rather than realising there are just very few us, especially outside large cities.

I grew up in North London, so somewhere with a high concentration of other Jews and never experienced antisemitism (I'm in my mid 40s), or overheard any - and given I don't have a Jewish name people won't know I'm Jewish.

Tbh, I think most people aren't antisemitic, I suspect far more people are Islamophobic sadly because that is pretty much encouraged by much of the right wing media, which is most of it.

Are you serious?
Anti Semitism has been off the scale in the last 2 years. I’m 63 and I’ve never known anything like it - most of it coming from the left as explained eloquently by Baddiel in his book, Jews Don’t Count.