Anti semitism

We were sitting watching the news last night Brenda and wondering if we had missed something. I am not aware of anti-semitism being more of a problem than racism. Surely we are all entitled to the same level of protection from terrorist attack? The thwarted attacks in Belgium were likely aimed at the Jewish quarter, and of course there was the attack on the Jewish supermarket in Paris, but the victims of other attacks such as 9/11 7/7. the Madrid bombings etc were random non specific victims. I cant help feeling a tiny bit resentful that one specific group is getting more protection than the rest of the population.

I wouldnt have thought the Britian is anti semetic either. Though I dont live near any Jews, so I suppose I cant know that for sure.
I would have thought that racism as a whole is a lot bigger problem.

On the other hand. We never know as much as politicians know about terrorism. And I wouldnt have thought that it is a huge leap to think that Jews in Britain are likely to be quite a high target for extremeists. After all, I dont think, eg, the inhabitants of Cheltenham have as much to be concerned about.

As I understand it the theat to the Jewish community is from islamic extremists in the UK.

Jewish shops and synagogues have been attacked in Belgium, France and Germany already. There is intelligence to suggest an attack in the UK is planned.

I don't think Theresa May said that at all, Brenda, about a threat from indigenous British people.
There has been an increase in harrassment (eg daubing things on walls etc) in areas where there are Jewish communities, and Jewish people feel under threat.
Things like George Galloway declaring Bradford an Israeli-free zone don't help either, whatever your views on Gaza.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/george-galloway-investigated-police-bradford-israel-free-zone

But that is not to say that the UK population in general is anti-semitic.

As for protection, yes we all deserve it, but obvious targets perhaps need it more than the rest of us.

I am always intrigued (and appalled of course) by anti-semetism. It seems so completely illogical. And half the time I would not know whether someone was a Jew or not, unless they were wearing something to indicate this.

I do however think that if we did not have faith schools some of the problem of protecting the young people would be easier.

No one is saying that Brits, on the whole, are anti-semitic. But Paris has shown that Jewish people are likely to be targets in any terror attacks. As are policemen. Of course, they need some extra vigilance and protection.

In some parts of the country there is a degree of anti-semitism. Just as in parts there is anti-Islamism. Fact is fact.

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/14/uk-jewish-antisemitism-rise-yougov-poll

this is an article about a recent survey which purports to show that half of the British population are ante-semitic.

I do wonder how anyone would know that they 'don't live near any jews'? Unless of course they are obvious in their dress..
I haven't in all my years heard anyone I know be anti-semetic, in my experience its a very small minority of the UK population.

I agree with janeainsworth .

I did note you used the word 'inferred' Brendawymms not said/stated but I don't think there was any 'intention' in Theresa Mays speech to say the indigenous Brits are anti semitic.

The fact the 'speech' in question was discussing the Jewish faith did not herald any concern/favouritism from the Home Secretary in my view to people of that faith only because at other times she has said similar things concerning the Muslim faith and generalised about the UK population in general.

As the Home Secretary she was simply doing her job and reporting on a matter that is becoming an issue. Next week she could well be saying the same of the Muslim faith!

You can just see somebody else saying when she speeks of the issues surrounding Muslims, ' One gets the feeling these days that to say anything about Muslim people may be construed as anti Muslim'.

There is a worry/concern that there is an anti semetic/anti Muslim feeling growing and I prefer a Home Secretary who does not have their head in the sand and reports it as it is.
She will inevitably bring to our attention groups/faiths and I don't see that is problem.

I think it's possible to be very fleetingly anti-Semitic when you hear horror stories of little boys being killed whilst playing on beaches in Gaza. But commonsense usually wins out as we realise that's nothing to do with Jewish people in this country.

I don't believe the vast majority of people in this country are anti semetic. I would regard it as a tragedy to lose our Jewish community. I think the threat comes from three extremes, the far right, hopefully their numbers are few, the far left who align all Jews to the Israel/Palestine problem, people like George Galloway who take every opportunity to stir things up, he really is quite appalling at times. Although I suspect the biggest threat to the Jewish community comes from radicalised Muslims.

It might not be pc to say it but it obvious to me after the attacks in Paris carried out by Islamic extremists who in this country and abroad are anti-Semitic.

As Jingl says it has nothing to do with Jews (or Muslins) in this country.
It is imperative, to me at any rate, to distinguish between anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli or Zionist. To me, the former implies a blanket prejudice irrespective of the individual, "I hate *****". (Insert whichever religious or ethnic group you choose,) and "I hate what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza" or I hate what Mugabe is doing in Zimbabwe".
I think it is equally wrong for disapproval of a political action to be construed as "oh, you are anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim " or whatever.
If only people could get that distinction clear, a lot of unnecessary hostility and offence could be avoided.

Wise words Soutra.

I agree with TerriBull also.

I just want to add the worst thing that can happen is to become PC about the matter and find hurt/indignation when none has been intended.

tanith, I live in the sticks where everyone knows everyone, and are related to each other!

Where Aunt Ada Doom saw "something nasty in the woodshed"?

Agreed Soutra; to hate what Israel is doing to Gaza does not make me anti-semitic, hating what Mugabe does to his country does not make me a racist.

I went to a school with a very high percentage of Jewish pupils and we all just got on with it, in fact I envied the Jewish pupils who were excused the religious part of assembly and so could come in a bit later!

Apart from the people who seem to have some political motive ( as Terribull detailed), I think most people just rub along together and I don't honestly think we are an anti-semitic country, I think that like most people I felt that Teresa May's speech singled out one group, when I feel that we are all at risk, irrespective of religion or race. I also assume that this was not what she intended.

I think there are two separate issues here:

The first is the threat to Jewish people in the UK - and there is no doubt that any current threat is from Muslim extremists, and maybe the odd EDL/skinhead idiot. Theresa May has no option but to order extra resources to protect potential Jewish targets.

Of course we are all at risk, but some more than others right now.

Second, is the recent survey showing an undercurrent of anti-semitism amongst the British in general.

People are outraged at the actions of Islamists, levels of immigration, Halal meat, etc., but I think we can't deny that there's a low-level visceral dislike of Jews, simply for being Jews.

You off again Soutra?

To the woodshed of course!

I too thought I had missed something when watching this on the news.

No Anya, I'll leave that to those interrelated country folk "out in the sticks".