5 AUGUST 2021
OPINION 13
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OPINION
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Time for another demo? OPINION PIECE BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN On the 26 March 2018 one of the major Jewish communal organisations held a demonstration outside Parliament against the anti-Semitism in Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. The reports around the world talked of over two thousand people protesting in an unprecedented way against the Jew-hate which was flourishing in the Labour Party. I remember at the time being disappointed at not being able to attend. Not because of work, but because those who organised it were unable to think beyond the M25. A few hours notice was certainly good enough for those living in Hendon or Golders Green but not those outside London. I was never able to understand why another 24 hours notice was not given to those keen to attend. What I was also not able to understand was why there wasn’t a follow up demonstration. The Jew-hate in the Labour Party only got worse, and it wasn’t until December of the following year – almost 2 years
later - that Labour lost the general election so badly, partly due to their attitude towards the Jews. The latest conflict in Israel saw a massive spike in anti-Semitism and despite the usual comments made by the communal leaders, there has been no demonstration or formal campaign calling for action. It is well documented that the attacks on Jews in social media are not only rising, but are largely unchecked by those in control of these platforms. A recent survey has found that social media companies have failed to take action—by either removing posts or closing accounts—in 84 per cent of cases. It is also well known that social media attacks where other minorities are targeted are subject to much greater scrutiny and attention. In other words, the
Jews don’t matter as much. This much I can understand. What I cannot understand is why, by and large, we – by which I mean the communal leaders – are doing so little about this. Those organisations with an informal structure such as the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the various Friends of Israel groups around the UK have no problem in standing up to the increase in online abuse. Yet those with a more formal structure content themselves by issuing the odd press release and statements expressing concern. It is as if for these groups that fighting Jew-hate is not such a high priority. We need to be more robust about the attacks on our community, yet despite the increase in social media hate crimes
A recent survey has found that social media companies have failed to take action—by either removing posts or closing accounts—in 84 per cent of cases.
and the increasing lies told about Israel there is no visible sign of any push back, other than the informal groups already mentioned. Perhaps that is the way forward. Allow the larger organisations to talk amongst themselves and let the real work be undertaken by smaller groups whose commitment and determination is clear and certain. It is not ideal, since as a community we have always achieved more when working co-operatively, though as matters stand that is just a goal to aim towards. Whoever takes up the baton in the necessary fight against the rising anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity should now give some thought to a more proactive high profile approach so that the wider society knows that the Jews in the UK will not take the attacks on their community lying down. Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.
CST six-monthly antisemitic incidents report OPINION PIECE BY YONI GORDON-TELLER CST’s latest report shows a record number of anti-Jewish hate incidents in first six months of this year: 1,308 antisemitic incidents recorded between January and June 2021, almost half of which happened just in the month of May. The spike in antisemitism reported that resulted from reactions to the escalation of violence in the Middle East is a significant reason for the 49% rise in incidents compared to the first six months of 2020. More than half of these 1,308 reports referenced the recent conflict in Israel and Gaza, demonstrated anti-Zionist motivation, or a combination of the two, alongside antisemitism. When so much antisemitism occurs, and when it is so mixed up with extreme hatred of Israel, it is clear that Jew-hatred and Israel-hatred become much the same thing in the minds of the perpetrators. They direct their anger randomly, but also in a way that is deliberately targeted at Jews. Their abuse is directed at Jews they know, Jews they don’t, orthodox Jews, secular Jews, Jewish children, adults, organisations, schools, synagogues: there is no single victim profile, and no single avenue for the expression of anti-Jewish sentiment. Antisemitism can be intellectualised, its
meaning and definitions debated at length. But when levels of antisemitism rise to such an extent, when ordinary Jewish people and institutions face such a considerable backlash, academic debates over whether
something crosses a supposed line between hatred of Israel and hatred of Jews ceases to have any practical meaning. In this context, antisemitism is ultimately defined by the lived experiences
When so much antisemitism occurs, and when it is so mixed up with extreme hatred of Israel, it is clear that Jew-hatred and Israel-hatred become much the same thing in the minds of the perpetrators. THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
of its victims. They are the ones who call CST, scared to go into their workplace for fear that comments of “Free Palestine” will continue to be directed at them, just because they are Jewish; worried that they cannot escape their next-door neighbour’s sustained campaign of harassment; nervous to freely express their identity in light of abusive, threatening shouts from a car convoy. CST supports them, reassures them and protects them: that is why we are here. However, support, reassurance and protection are collective, societal responsibilities: they are far more meaningful and effective when the effort is united. Where culprits of antisemitic hate crime are identified, arrests must be made and prosecutions delivered. Where antisemitic threats and abuse are written online, social media platforms must take stronger action that aligns with their professed – if limited – commitment to tackling hate. Where Jewish people share their experiences of antisemitism, everyone who truly wants to build a fair, inclusive, anti-racist society must stand in solidarity. CST urges all readers to be vigilant, to report antisemitism to CST and police, and to support all of our communal efforts against the danger. Visit www.cst.org.uk. In an emergency, call the police and then call our 24-hour emergency number, 0800 032 3263.
