Forum Topic

Rise in antisemitism in the UK

It would seem that the antisemitic posters continually attacking Israel on this Forum are part of a growing movement and seem especially effective in influencing the young."Bombshell antisemitism poll shows UK at 'tipping point'Anti-Jewish hatred is now running at the highest level on record, new polling reveals"By Giles Sheldrick Daily Express09:22, Sun, Sep 7, 2025 Updated: 09:24, Sun, Sep 7, 2025'Campaign Against Antisemitism commissioned YouGov to survey British adults’ attitudes with “alarming” findings showing antisemitism has doubled in less than five years.The charity claims the results show the number of people in Britain holding what it considers to be entrenched antisemitic views now covers more than one fifth of the British population.Some 45% – almost half of the population – believes Israel treats the Palestinians like the Nazis treated the Jews, a record figure and an increase from last year’s prior record of 33%.Almost half 18-24-year-olds are uncomfortable spending time with people who openly support Israel while only 18% are comfortable while only 31% of young voters agree Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people and 20% of them say that it does not'.I do love the comment that - 'Almost half 18-24-year-olds are uncomfortable spending time with people who openly support Israel'.Not perhaps quite as 'uncomfortable', as those of a similar age killed in Palestinian Hamas' genocidal attack on Jewish youth in October 2023. And like many 'adults' on this Forum - 'only 31% of young voters agree Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people and 20% of them say that it does not.'Again, like many antisemitic posters on this Forum they seem to have no idea how Israel would be made to disappear and what would happen to its Jewish citizens.One has to concede with fear and trepidation that the antisemites seem to be gaining the upper hand in terms of public opinion, much I am sure to the gratification of the West Putney Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

John Hawkes ● 42d23 Comments

Mr Ainsworthhttps://www.spiked-online.com/2025/09/08/the-slow-death-of-the-genocide-lie/"The slow death of the genocide lie"'Israelophobic claims about the ‘genocide’ in Gaza are finally crashing against the shores of truth'.Perhaps you might read it and let us know if you disagree with its conclusions and if so why.Some extracts -'Now we know: Gaza must be a genocide because Adolf Hitler says it is. And that man knows a thing or two about genocide. His name crops up in the list of experts behind the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), which last week decreed that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. He seems to have moved, though: he’s now ‘Adolf Hitler of Gaza City’ rather than of Berlin. Yet there he is, alongside Emperor Palpatine and the Cookie Monster, proudly aligning himself with this organisation whose latest ‘resolution’ says Israel has engaged in ‘systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide’.'It’s not actually Hitler. He’s been dead for 80 years. It’s not even some Nazi fanboy in Gaza City who’s taken his favourite murderer’s name. No, it’s an online wag who wants the world to know that the IAGS is not all it’s cracked up to be. For a start, any chump can become a member for $30. Hence why, for a period of time last week, this esteemed gathering of human-rights boffins included not only the usual tenured worthies who think their word counts for more than everyone else’s, but also the Cookie Monster, sporting a fetching, Hamas-style bandana'.I think I suggested earlier that you might sign up to join this group with your forensic knowledge of Israel's atrocities.'The closer one looks at the IAGS and its resolution, the more it smacks of a self-appointed kangaroo court of academic smartarses desperate to pin the sickest of crimes on the Jewish State. First, there’s the make-up of the IAGS. Salo Aizenberg of HonestReporting, which challenges media prejudice against Israel, found not only that fictional baddies from Star Wars have joined the IAGS, but also that 80 of its 500 members are based at universities in Iraq. Is Iraq well known for its genocide scholarship, so much so that its professors account for nearly 20 per cent of a global association of genocide oracles?'You must be pleased that your views on Israel align with those of Iraqi 'academics'.'Also last week, the alternative experts at the Scholars for Truth About Genocide made a highly convincing case that what’s happening in Gaza is war. The IAGS, they said, failed to mention one simple fact: that this tragedy would end ‘if Hamas were to release all the hostages… and lay down their weapons’. To leave out such info is an outrage, they said, because it wilfully obscures the truth that Israel’s intention in Gaza is not to destroy the Palestinian people but to secure the return of its own people and fortify its territory against further attacks from the neo-fascists of Hamas.'You are on the wrong side of history Mr Ainsworth.That's where racial prejudice leads you.

John Hawkes ● 40d

On the IHRA definition:-"application of the definition has been widely criticised including by Ken Stern who, as the American Jewish Committee’s antisemitism expert, led its drafting two decades ago. Earlier this year, Stern successfully urged the American Bar Association against adopting the definition because it has been used as “a blunt instrument to label anyone an antisemite”."https://www.theguardian.com/news/2023/apr/24/un-ihra-antisemitism-definition-israel-criticism"Warns against weaponizing the definition: Stern has become a vocal critic of how the IHRA definition has been applied, particularly by right-wing figures and organizations. He argues that it is being "weaponized" to suppress pro-Palestinian speech and stifle academic freedom on college campuses.Criticism from pro-Israel groups: Stern has drawn criticism from some pro-Israel groups for warning against misusing the IHRA definition to silence critics of Israeli policy. He believes this misuse makes Jewish students less safe by blurring the lines between legitimate criticism and true antisemitism.Criticism from pro-Palestinian groups: In other cases, Stern's association with the IHRA definition has made him a target of pro-Palestinian groups, some of which have tried to deplatform him from speaking engagements.Complex stance on Zionism and antisemitism: Stern acknowledges that antisemitism exists on college campuses but argues against automatically equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. He holds a nuanced position on the issue, recognizing that some Jews, particularly younger ones, are anti-Zionist for reasons based on their understanding of Judaism and the occupation."

David Ainsworth ● 40d

"One of the most disturbing but historically unsurprising findings of the poll is that Jew hate is significantly worse among the young: 42 per cent of 18-24 year olds believe that Israel can “get away with anything” because its supporters “control the media”; 58 per cent of young people believe that Israel and its supporters are a bad influence on our democracy; 19 per cent of young people believe that the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 was justified. Antisemitism is a virus that not only spreads its net widely, it deepens itself when it is caught. I am sorry to be the voice of doom, but today’s rising antisemitism is nothing new. It is not even the new norm. It is the old norm, returning".Written byStephen PollardThe SpectatorShocking figures of course regarding the attitude of the young.But yet what example is set for them by adults (as on this Forum) and leftish media organisations.'That estimable Judeophile Julia Hartley-Brewer responded to the poll with a sentiment that is doubtless shared by many: “Congratulations to the BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and other media who’ve helped stirred up this ancient hatred by deliberately perpetrating the lie that Israel is committing a genocide on Gaza. You know better. Shame on you all.” She’s right, of course.But she’s also wrong, because in reality the BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and other media haven’t made anyone decide to hate Jews. Rather, what they’ve done though the drip, drip, drip of their reporting is to help remove the stigma against admitting to hating Jews. That difference matters'.Stephen PollardThe Spectator

John Hawkes ● 41d