Anti-Semitism Fears In The UK

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As we dwell on the worries that Islamic fundamentalists bring us regarding our safety and, indeed, our very way of life in our ‘free western societies’ many people have overlooked the increase in anti-semetic sentiment in the UK.

antisemitism

The UK’s far right have generally been of little consequence and, when they spout drivel such as ‘the holocaust didn’t happen’ and so forth, ordinary sane people scoff and ignore them. Indeed, the far right parties such as the British National Party have been virtually wiped out by the emergence of UKIP who, whilst not ‘far right’ in the traditional sense, have attracted ‘far right’ supporters who, in the main, are delighted to have found ‘a voice’ within mainstream politics that doesn’t include the demented rantings of third rate Nazi’s.

I have unashamedly taken the following from the BBC website. It makes interesting and worrying reading. A large and strong Jewish community have lived, worked and prospered in the UK for many decades. Never have they felt uncomfortable nor threatened in the UK. Their presence has always been welcomed by all but a tiny ‘idiot rump’ of far right loonies.

Now, it seems, the UK is not the safe place for Jews it once appeared. This is a disgraceful turn of events and what ever needs to be done should be done – and immediately.

“The UK must redouble its efforts to “wipe out anti-Semitism”, Home Secretary Theresa May has said.

Mrs May said she “never thought I’d see the day when members of the Jewish community” would be “fearful” of staying in the UK.

She was speaking at a service in London to remember those killed in the terror attacks in France this month, including four people in a kosher supermarket.

Police say there is “heightened concern” about risks to Jewish people.

The president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Vivian Wineman, welcomed the home secretary’s speech, saying Jews in the UK should be alert to the terror threat but not alarmed.

‘Vulnerable and fearful’

Mrs May said the attack on the supermarket in France was “a chilling reminder of anti-Semitism, not just in France but the recent anti-Semitic prejudice that we sadly have seen in this country”.

“I know that many Jewish people in this country are feeling vulnerable and fearful and you’re saying that you’re anxious for your families, for your children and yourselves,” she continued.

“I never thought I would see the day when members of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom would say they were fearful of remaining here in the United Kingdom.”

“And that means we must all redouble our efforts to wipe out anti-Semitism here in the United Kingdom,” she said.

The UK’s threat level remains severe, which means a terrorist attack is highly likely.

On Friday Met Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, the national policing lead for counter-terrorism, said a security review was being carried out in the UK in the aftermath of the attacks in France.

He said police were holding talks over “more patrols in key areas” following concern from the Jewish community and after “anti-Semitic rhetoric from extremists” in France and elsewhere.

The Met has increased its patrols in areas with large Jewish communities

Speaking after Sunday’s service, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Mr Wineman welcomed the decision to increase police protection for the Jewish community.

He said: “Of course there is a real terrorist threat. People shouldn’t be alarmed, they should be alert but not alarmed. There is a threat but don’t exaggerate it.”

When asked if British Jews were moving to Israel because of the terror threat, he said there had always been a steady stream going and they went for positive reasons to express their Jewish identity.

He said that the British Jewish community was “very happy here” and that the “vast majority of British people were not anti-Semitic”.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, from the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism UK, said the terror threat was not just against Jews, but was “a threat against Britain”.

“We are not running scared and we are not running away. We are here to stay, and we are here to say that it is time Britain stands up to this,” he said.

In a letter read out at the commemoration service in London, Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I’ve set a clear expectation that the police treat all harassment and hate crime offences very seriously.”

Speaking at the service, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said that education was the way to tackle anti-Semitism.

Eric Pickles and Theresa May held up signs saying “I am Jewish” at a Board of Deputies of British Jews event

Afterwards he added: “We know that in Paris a pensioner, a rabbi’s son, a teacher and a shop assistant were wiped out because they were Jewish.

“And if history tells us anything, we need to be constantly vigilant.”

He has written to more than 1,000 Islamic leaders at mosques in England urging them to help “explain and demonstrate how faith in Islam can be part of British identity”.

Mr Pickles said he was “proud” of the way British Muslims in Britain had responded to the Paris attacks but there was “more work to do”.

“You, as faith leaders, are in a unique position in our society. You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility,” he said.

Later, the Muslim Council of Britain said it had not been sent the letter but would be writing to Mr Pickles to ask that he “clarifies his request”.

Deputy secretary general Harun Khan said: “Is Mr Pickles seriously suggesting, as do members of the far right, that Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society?”

Mr Khan said Muslim communities around the country have “redoubled their efforts to bring communities together and defy extremists of all kinds” following the Paris attacks.”

In my experience, the vast majority of British people are rightly and justifiably proud of our ability to accept all races, creeds, colours and faiths onto our shores – albeit I suspect the vast majority wish they weren’t often here in such huge numbers given our creaking infrastructure – and will be extremely angry at any perpetrators who seek to frighten and terrorise any communities on our shores whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, African, Asian, Far Eastern, Eastern European or what ever.

I can but applaud Theresa may and Eric Pickles for openly stating that intolerance will not be acceptable.

It makes a refreshing change when politicians actually ‘hit the nail on the head’ and acknowledge and support the genuine concerns of British people.

I also applaud most of Mr Khan’s comments but would suggest that if he cares to open his eyes he will see that a worryingly large proportion of Muslim’s do appear, to us lesser mortals, to indeed be ‘inherently apart from British society

Any efforts Mr Khan can make to rectify this will be much appreciated by all and, in these troubled times, particularly by our much valued Jewish population.

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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9 years ago

I just heard a report on SkyNews about the Muslim invasion and the threat to the Jewish population in the UK. So maybe there’s something to it?

Reply to  Caroline Taylor
9 years ago

I’m, perhaps, pre-empting things in the article above Caroline. Look on the pessimistic side and be prepared – then, if nothing happens, it’s a bonus yes?

jess
9 years ago

Damn Norman. The powers that be are going to keep saying things are bad, so they can keep everyone fighting among themselves and loot the treasury when no one is watching them. Don’t let the boogey man under the bed scare you, you’re English dammit, chin up and stiff upper lip right?

Reply to  jess
9 years ago

Quite right Jess!! Right…I’m off out into the noon day sun!! 😉

(it is ‘noon day’ as Kipling wrote it not ‘midday’ as is oft mis-quoted)…I’m being a clever bugger now 😉

Cherries
9 years ago

Well he is a UKIP supporter so he would have to add the bit at the end!

Reply to  Cherries
9 years ago

I’m a UKIP supporter regarding Europe 100%. Also 100% regarding immigration controls. Thereafter no party has my support. Just so yer know 😉

As for ‘the bit at the end’ why has that letter been written to mosques around Britain? Because we want and need Muslims to feel and ‘be’ British. Anyone without politically correct blinkers can see that of all immigrant groups, Muslims seem to have had the most difficulty integrating.

We need to help them integrate not ignore the problem and leave them to it.

9 years ago

I have to agree with dear Pim there Norman. I spend part of the year with my family in London and I don’t see what you’re seeing, although we might with the bloody muslims taking over everything in East London.

Reply to  rowdy62
9 years ago

I’m only quoting Home Secretary Theresa May and others and, certainly, Jewish communities are receiving extra police protection along with stating they are worried.

Better to ‘jump in’ and over react than to wait and see here methinks.

Pim
9 years ago

Bloody hell there Normie. It’s not all that bad.

Reply to  Pim
9 years ago

Not yet Pim but we know what happens if we don’t nip things in the bud

9 years ago

I think there has always been and always will be antisemitism. The mad Muslims are making it worse though.

Reply to  Timmy Mahoney
9 years ago

True and true but the antisemitism was virtually non-existent until recently.

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