Spectator - The Torment of British Jews. This article almost brought me to tears.

[stelladelmare8]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-torment-of-british-jews/ Apologies for the pay wall, but if you did want to read it you can get a free trial.

This article broke my heart. Sharing in the hopes of raising some awareness around what British Jews are facing right now in our own country.

I’m sorry you feel victimised. I don’t know anyone who isn’t appalled by what Hamas did. But I also would say that it is possible to be appalled by that and also to think that Israel has gone much too far in retaliation. I’ve been called antisemitic publicly for voicing that concern and that makes me angry and sad.

I absolutely abhor anti semitism. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. I am frightened by the rise is hate crime and heartbroken for British Jews. I think having Jewish people in the UK is wonderful for our culture and life and I pray that none leave.

It's not antisemitic to criticise Netanyahu or the Israeli government
though, obviously.

I am horrified at the rise in antisemitism in our country. Love and strength to all British Jews. You and your children should not have to live with this fear.

Great article...thanks for sharing.

Do not forget that Jewish people were targeted in attacks in the UK after 7/10 before Israel had even retaliated. What other group does that happen to?

It's not antisemitic to criticise Netanyahu or the Israeli government though, obviously

In theory...no. But have a look at the civil war in Yemen...how many have been killed? Children and babies dying from hunger? A famine. I don't see tens of thousands of people protesting about that in London repeatedly.

Yes @Comedycook I completely agree.

@Comedycook As well as thinking Israel have gone too far, you can also be horrified by what is happening in the Yemen. You are doing exactly what I abhor about this situation and implying that people protesting about Israel’s actions must be anti-Semitic. That makes my blood boil.

The eternal story of anti-Semitism and Jew-baiting:

they have found in the Jews a handy group of proxies to torment, a group with very little history of violence or fighting back. (Until, pushed to the limit, they do, when the inevitable cries of ‘overreaction!’ occur.)

It's not antisemitic to criticise Netanyahu or the Israeli government though, obviously

Expressing that by attacking Jews, is. Expecting Jews to take responsibility for Netanyahu's actions or to justify them, is.

@Dilbertian I completely agree. But there are plenty of people who don’t do these things but have serious concerns about what is happening in Gaza.

I'm not talking about every individuals motivation for protesting. I'm simply wondering why another conflict where more people have died and which has caused a famine is not drawing protesters onto the streets of London like this one has?

I can't read the article, but why is a protest seen as an attack on British Jews?

💯% this

I'm not referring to specific protests, but to the way people hold Jews to account for the actions of their coreligionists in another country, in a way that people of other religions are not.

Because of this attitude, protests expressing anger at the State of Israel often result in that anger being expressed at Jews, either by slogans or by violence.

This has been part of our history since the first accusations of "Christ killers!"

You can be Zionist and also be critical of Netanyahu's government. That doesn't mean you have to declare allegiances or beat your breast over it.

As a Muslim, I can tell you that Muslims are constantly held to account for actions of governments and even individuals around the world. In the UK Muslims are the most persecuted group. I'm not sure why you think this is exclusive to Jews? Did you miss the news about Muslims in US being murdered post 7/10 (two were children) because they were 'blamed' simply for being Muslim?

Yeah Islamophobia is rife. And more Muslims are “visibly Muslim” so can be more easily be targeted. Heck even people who look a certain way risk being attacked for being Muslim - I’m not Muslim but some stupid people seeing my headscarf would shout jibes at me like “taliban” or “p%#%” although I’m not of Pakistani origin. I’ve worked in at least one job where senior members openly held Islamophobic views. and look at Boris comments about Muslim women. Can you imagine if he came at orthodox Jewish women the same way?

Just to add I do feel disgusted at the rise of all types of racism and violent intolerance though.

The Uk government recently pledged a significant amount to fight anti semitism.

That is great and I hope it follows suit with similar amounts to combat the discrimination faced by Muslim and Black communities but I won’t hold my breath.

I too abhor any type of racism/xenophobia. I'm just genuinely shocked that someone is claiming that it's only Jews who experience whataboutery.

You are right. Muslims get this, too. My apologies for the sweeping generalisation.

Am also horrified by the rise in antisemitism. Just to say that not all of the uk is unaware.

That is great and I hope it follows suit with similar amounts to combat the discrimination faced by Muslim and Black communities but I won’t hold my breath

I actually think this is a bit unfair . I'm well aware that things aren't perfect but I do think the UK tries reasonably hard to combat racism and does put measures in place. My dcs school regularly discuss racism and have racism awareness days. I certainly don't think the issue is ignored.

Anti Semitism hasn't really been dealt with, mainly because it hasn't been so visible until recently. Also comparatively there are relatively few Jews in the UK. I'm Jewish and have mixed race DC so hopefully I can see things from more than one viewpoint...I try! I don't tell anyone that I'm Jewish and nor do my dc.

When I walk down the street , no one knows I'm Jewish...I can't imagine how terrifying it must be if they did.