What is antisemitism?

Joseann

Having said that, my best Jewish friend when we were young mums used to be relieved her daughter had blonde hair, and she did everything not to "appear" Jewish. (That was Hampstead where she could easily have aligned herself with the Jewish community but chose not to). I think that is sad.

Was that because she was frightened or felt she had little in common with them?

Joseann

I think most Jewish people I know are identifiable Hewish, but so what if they are? It doesnt mean they sit on different seats if the tube from the rest of us or we don't pas the time of day with them. Same for all the other black, Chinese or whatever.

I have a dozen or so Jewish friends and none of them are identifiably Jewish, although most of them keep the Sabbath and follow Jewish dietary rules. Not surprisingly (because we tend to seek out friends like us), they are politically liberal and don't like Netanyahu and the events in Palestine. They don't live in Jewish areas or send their children to Jewish schools and none of them has ever talked about being frightened. I realise that it's different for Orthodox Jews, who are more noticeable in the streets.

There is a very practical reason Orthodox Jews gather in one area: their synagogue. They must not drive on the sabbath. Therefore they must be within walking distance of the synagogue.

I wear a cross everyday, I do not know how I would feel if I felt too scared to do so in my country of birth.

That’s the situation my Jewish friends are in with their Star of David.

Having said that, my best Jewish friend when we were young mums used to be relieved her daughter had blonde hair, and she did everything not to "appear" Jewish. (That was Hampstead where she could easily have aligned herself with the Jewish community but chose not to). I think that is sad.

I think most Jewish people I know are identifiable Hewish, but so what if they are? It doesnt mean they sit on different seats if the tube from the rest of us or we don't pas the time of day with them. Same for all the other black, Chinese or whatever.

We have a growing community of Haredi Jews not far from me, they have always been visible in the community, now it’s noticeable that they are not out and about since 7/10.

I genuinely don’t understand how p people can categorically state that antisemitism is rife in this country

The Guardian has reported that there have been record numbers of hate incidents against British Jews since the 7/10 massacres in Israel. London police have reported a massive rise in antisemitic incidents (BBC reported). Police are guarding Jewish schools and synagogues. Jewish people are very afraid in Britain today.
That is why posters can state categorically that antisemitism is rife in this country.

maddyone I totally agree

The question about whether people are identifiably Jewish has been asked on several occasions recently. There was the suggestion that the hair and dress of some orthodox Jewish men and women resulted in them being subject to anti semitism.
Most cities have areas where Jews escaping pogroms in Europe lived in the 19th/early 20th century. Manchester has the second largest Jewish community in the UK. Early, often poverty stricken Jewish people lived in slums alongside Irish families in Angel Meadow. As they became established many Irish families moved to south Manchester, the Jewish families to north Manchester.
There is still a substantial Jewish community in Cheetham Hill. There have been attacks in synagogues, schools, cemeteries and community buildings. My Jewish friends in the area aren’t orthodox and they’re anxious about the increase in anti semitism.

not one jot

What is happening to the women and children in Gaza can be firmly laid at the door of Hamas. They would have been absolutely aware of what the repercussions of 7/10 would be. They wanted this to happen and are happy it’s happening because they care not one not for their suffering people apart from as propaganda.
Hamas sicken me.

growstuff you posted

are they identifiably Jewish

I have no words…

Fleurpepper

So all the Jews, in Israel and all over the world- who are denouncing Netanyahu, and have done for some time- and are denouncing what is being done to the Palestinian people now, and previously for so so long- are antisemitic?

Seriously! Ludicrous comments like this do nothing to add to the very serious discussion about very real anti semitism,

GrannyGravy13

I can only go by my Jewish friends, they are frightened and upset by what they see and hear in the U.K.

Antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadow.

As a matter of interest, are they identifiably Jewish?

My son-in-law, who has Arab features (and there's nothing he can do about that) has always been quite frightened in certain surroundings, so avoids them.

Conversely, when my son lived in the Jewish area of Gateshead and my daughter and son-in-law visited, they didn't feel frightened and found people very friendly. It was as though minorities were sticking together.

silverlining48

Swastikas and other such Nazi related items are illegal in Germany. Perhaps we could do the same.

They're not completely banned:

www.dw.com/en/germanys-confusing-rules-on-swastikas-and-nazi-symbols/a-45063547

I am sorry about that GG it must be a worry for your friends but most sensible people would not blame them fir the action of the Israeli government, any more than I want to be blamed fir the actions of mine.

Swastikas and other such Nazi related items are illegal in Germany. Perhaps we could do the same.

I can only go by my Jewish friends, they are frightened and upset by what they see and hear in the U.K.

Antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadow.

There will always be those thugs who do this but surely they are just a tiny minority.

I think when you see people marching with swastikas it focuses the attention.

I genuinely don’t understand how people can categorically state that antisemitism is rife in this country. I live in a fairly multi cultural area and have never seen or heard anything to evidence this. Not particularly scientific I know but that’s my direct experience.
There are people who disagree with Israel policy on Palestine, which is acceptable in a democratic society. Some of these are Jewish, what does that make them. ?

Oreo

I agree too, and yet this view isn’t popular either on this forum or in the country in general. It isn’t Fashionable to take up the Jewish cause, particularly, with many of those of the left-ish persuasion which always surprises and saddens me.

I agree that antisemitism is embedded in this country, although I hadn’t realised before just how much antisemitism there is here in Britain.

If it’s not fashionable to take up the Jewish cause, I’ll happily be out of fashion.

And the cause of the Palestinian women and children who are now suffering because of the abominable actions of Hamas, who must have known what their terrible atrocity would unleash on their women and children.

So all the Jews, in Israel and all over the world- who are denouncing Netanyahu, and have done for some time- and are denouncing what is being done to the Palestinian people now, and previously for so so long- are antisemitic?

What is 'The Jewish cause' in this context. Why do so many Jews, in Israel, are totally against Netanyahu, his extreme right policies, illegal settlements and what is being done now to the Palestinian people. Are they not 'fashionable' enough for you?