What is antisemitism?

TerriBull

I'm inclined to agree with Maddyone and Galaxy, it's almost as if anti semetism is an inevitable by product of Netanyahu's Israel, why would so many high profile Jewish individuals say so, and attest as in David Baddiel's book, "Jews Don't Count" that it is the one form of racism that isn't taken seriously. In some ways I find it hard to know why the OP was posed, to not know that anti semetism exists and that culminated in the murder of 6,000,000 of the people of that ethnicity and religion well you must have been living under a stone!

is it anti semitic to criticise Israel

Criticising Netanyahu’s government is of course not anti semitic.

Is it anti semitic to criticise the state of Israel? Denying the right of the State of Israel to exist is considered by the Ann Frank house charity to be anti semitic. Other Jewish organisations support this view. The Jewish Federation identifies 3 D’s
*Demonisation - eg comparisons between Israelis and Nazis and between Palestinian refugee camps and Auschwitz - anti semitism, not legitimate criticism of Israel]

*double standards, eg Israel singled out , accused of human rights violations when major abusers china, Iran, Cuba, Syria is ignored

*delegitimization - when Israel’s fundamental right to exist is denied

Given some of the banners carried on the so called peace marches the definition of anti semitism seems to need discussing.

I'm inclined to agree with Maddyone and Galaxy, it's almost as if anti semetism is an inevitable by product of Netanyahu's Israel, why would so many high profile Jewish individuals say so, and attest as in David Baddiel's book, "Jews Don't Count" that it is the one form of racism that isn't taken seriously. In some ways I find it hard to know why the OP was posed, to not know that anti semetism exists and that culminated in the murder of 6,000,000 of the people of that ethnicity and religion well you must have been living under a stone!

Jackiest

Am I right in thinking antisemitism is racism towards Jews being given a specific name or is it more than racism?

I think you're right, it's racism in the extreme because it incites violence and murder.
I've sometimes heard people telling black people or immigrants to go back where they came from, that they aren't wanted, but I've never heard so many vile slogans chanted against Jewish people and hateful images depicted as in the past few weeks. It's beyond belief.

I wish I understood it better

Galaxy

What has happened in the last few weeks has completely shaken my view of society, in particular the way antisemitism has been minimised and excused. I am not sure I will ever view people in the same way again.

Yes, I find it very sad that the huge numbers of anti semitic behaviour are being given little air time and therefore seem to be being minimised.

MerylStreep

TerriBull

It's pretty self evident, blatant attacks on the Jewish community whether physical or in the form of daubed hate messages, or placards bearing "Hitler was right" or "Rid the world of Jews" Lets not blur the lines by stating, as we know, many Jewish people support the Palestinian case, or pretend that actual hate crimes against them are a figment of paranoia, they are out there and they are increasing across Europe.

This is why borders are going up again in Europe.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

I'm a tad confused. There has always been provision within the Schengen Agreement for countries to impose temporary border controls.

Looking at the link, the main reasons given are the conflict in Ukraine and the threat of infiltration from eastern Europe, including Russia. Additionally, some countries cite the strain caused by the asylum system in the Schengen area.

It's ridiculous to assume that all asylum seekers support Palestine and are anti-semitic. The majority of asylum seekers to the Schengen area come from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq (and recently Ukraine). I'm not denying that some asylum seekers sympathise with Palestinians, but quite honestly they have their own problems to worry about.

Much of the world is very unstable at the moment, so it makes sense for countries to protect themselves, but I don't accept it's to protect themselves from anti-semitism.

Agree Galaxy

Am I right in thinking antisemitism is racism towards Jews being given a specific name or is it more than racism?

I agree Galaxy

I agree, Galaxy

What has happened in the last few weeks has completely shaken my view of society, in particular the way antisemitism has been minimised and excused. I am not sure I will ever view people in the same way again.

Antisemitism is doing things like making someone's work life a misery because they have asked for permission (and been given it) to leave early on Fridays so as to get home before nightfall, which is when the Sabbath starts. My daughter-in-law has this arrangement with her line boss. In return she worked either later or earlier than everyone else, and often also on a Sunday as that was not for her a day of rest. This worked well. She was at work far longer than anyone else, and was very conscientious about quality as well. Her colleagues were fine with it.

Then her boss left and her successor repeatedly criticised her work, snipe about how unfair the arrangement was, and even told her "You ought to put your work above your religion". It got so bad that she left and found a better position somewhere else with the excellent reference she received from people higher up the hierarchy. She could probably have claimed infair dismissal, but just wanted to get away.

MerylStreep

TerriBull

It's pretty self evident, blatant attacks on the Jewish community whether physical or in the form of daubed hate messages, or placards bearing "Hitler was right" or "Rid the world of Jews" Lets not blur the lines by stating, as we know, many Jewish people support the Palestinian case, or pretend that actual hate crimes against them are a figment of paranoia, they are out there and they are increasing across Europe.

This is why borders are going up again in Europe.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

Interesting, MerylStreep

How come this has been kept so quiet?

MerylStreep

TerriBull

It's pretty self evident, blatant attacks on the Jewish community whether physical or in the form of daubed hate messages, or placards bearing "Hitler was right" or "Rid the world of Jews" Lets not blur the lines by stating, as we know, many Jewish people support the Palestinian case, or pretend that actual hate crimes against them are a figment of paranoia, they are out there and they are increasing across Europe.

This is why borders are going up again in Europe.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

Thank you for that MerylStreep I knew about Denmark but not the others.

TerriBull

It's pretty self evident, blatant attacks on the Jewish community whether physical or in the form of daubed hate messages, or placards bearing "Hitler was right" or "Rid the world of Jews" Lets not blur the lines by stating, as we know, many Jewish people support the Palestinian case, or pretend that actual hate crimes against them are a figment of paranoia, they are out there and they are increasing across Europe.

This is why borders are going up again in Europe.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

Quokka Those speaking against the actions of the israeli government are not being condemned as anti-semitic. Those who extend their opposition to the government to embrace all Jews are.

Too often this extension sn't done in an outright and open manner where those doing it can be corrected and reprimanded, it is done by innuendo, hints, insinuations,
an allusive or oblique remark, imputations and allusion and is very difficult to counter.

Anniebach

Police knew all this when they chose to allow the march on Saturday and Sunday

They chose to allow the march because it was not an anti-Jewish march.

Whatever your opinion of the behaviour of individuals who were part of the march it doesn't invalidate the fact that it was a march for peace, not an anti Jewish one.

I am not ‘on about’ anything, just posting my opinion as you should do without making it personal.

Anniebach

Police knew all this when they chose to allow the march on Saturday and Sunday

What are you on about? It is now clear that the police knew the anti-war protesters’ march would pass off peacefully. Which it did bar a few bad apples.

Contrast that with the thugs who attacked the police.

Are we so afraid of appearing antisemitic that it prevents us from standing up for peace and justice?
I hope not. There are extremists out there who are only too willing to whip up fear and aggression.
Taking sides in any conflict is not going to end in true justice.

Police knew all this when they chose to allow the march on Saturday and Sunday

Police have reported that there have been thousands of antisemitic events in Britain since 7/10. We have not been told what form these incidents have taken, but we know that Jewish people are afraid to wear any traditional Jewish symbols, their children are afraid to wear their school uniforms which may identify them as Jewish, hate placards are openly carried at pro Palestinian demonstrations, pictures of the Israeli hostages have been ripped down, even by the police. Shame on Britain for this behaviour!

I wonder if blurring the lines is perhaps the point of the thread.

So true TerriBull

It's pretty self evident, blatant attacks on the Jewish community whether physical or in the form of daubed hate messages, or placards bearing "Hitler was right" or "Rid the world of Jews" Lets not blur the lines by stating, as we know, many Jewish people support the Palestinian case, or pretend that actual hate crimes against them are a figment of paranoia, they are out there and they are increasing across Europe.