Forum Topic

Attacked because of your religion

What a society we have been become where Jews are openly being targeted and sadly lost their lives.  This has been allowed to get to this point not just of international events but how we, as a society, have tolerated hateful language.  This attack appears to be ongoing with the SAS in situ according to news reports.  My heart goes out to all the families and my immense pride in the police who appear to have handled this appalling situation rapidly thereby avoiding further deaths.

Robert Wheeler ● 17d41 Comments

"Decades Of Terror: Over 100,000 Christians Killed In Nigeria – Why Does The World Look Away?"'The persecution of Christians in Nigeria has reached genocidal levels, yet much of the world continues to look away.For more than a decade, jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and other radical Islamist branches have waged relentless campaigns against Christians in Africa: burning villages, destroying tens of thousands of churches, and wiping out entire communities with senseless violence.The most recent attack came in early September, when Boko Haram militants killed more than 60 people in the village of Darul Jamal, located in Nigeria’s northeast Borno State. According to BBC News, Boko Haram terrorists stormed the village overnight, torching homes and buses while massacring reconstruction workers and killing at least five Nigerian soldiers'.https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/decades-terror-over-100-000-160039867.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM3flBusYWFNzIBw1O8haTqPu1pdeKZlOa8EKvIKYm-lz6lQBx6FzjuPFcjZeDzaFrXoihE16iRXYKY_R8ExDpMzFcKUm4DH0pV-tA8mABJ261uKtfcSgBZMCHZo1I9dWODqh-BOUroNxiFxAFs_CPDwZ0PWyx7Obb0mnrIpL25CYet it is Israel that is called genocidal and suffers all of the media's opprobrium as it defends itself from attacks by Arab Palestinian Islamists. Why is that ?

John Hawkes ● 8d

Ms HammondApparently Jihad Al-Shamie was a Syrian-born terrorist who drove his car at Jewish worshippers before launching a bloodthirsty knife attack while wearing a fake suicide vest outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on Thursday.Al-Shamie, 35, who it emerged last night was on bail for alleged rape when he launched the onslaught.Obviously a very nasty piece of work.Q1) Why did he have a right to reside in the UK and who gave it to him ?Q2) Who gave bail to an alleged rapist and was he so leniently treated because of his ethnicity ?Apparently a total of six people have been detained on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts as part of the investigation, after detectives raided a house in Central Avenue, Bolton, on Friday.I wonder if the Labour government will deport them ?However the good news is that he is no longer around to commit any more racist and antisemitic atrocities.

John Hawkes ● 15d

Just heard on LBC.  The Guardian is reporting that the killer was apparently on bail for an alleged rape.

Sue Hammond ● 16d

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2703lnww4t"Deputy PM David Lammy is heckled by some of the crowd at a vigil for the Manchester synagogue attack victims, before saying "we stand in solidarity with the Jewish people""

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Wheeler'those shameful idiots protesting yesterday and again tomorrow should be protesting against Hamas as they are the only ones who are reluctant to want peace'.I agree but do Messrs Ainsworth, Carter et al ?'The Government has read this situation appallingly.  We need firm handling of these protests not appeasement.  They have waited 14 years to govern let’s see some direction and strength, they have the laws if they choose to use them'.Starmer and the Labour government are not driven by any moral beliefs on the Middle East issue.They are only concerned with appeasing their Islamist MPs, Party members and the Islamic vote itself.Can you actually imagine a Labour Home Secretary supporting the police to stop these antisemitic marches ?Pigs will fly first.

John Hawkes ● 16d

A peace plan is on the table with already the agreement of Arab states and Israel so those shameful idiots protesting yesterday and again tomorrow should be protesting against Hamas as they are the only ones who are reluctant to want peace.  The Government has read this situation appallingly.  We need firm handling of these protests not appeasement.  They have waited 14 years to govern let’s see some direction and strength, they have the laws if they choose to use them.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

Mr Rose'I suspect that Hamas will not agree to Trump's plan. They are counting on the fact that there are enough useful idiots in the West to put pressure on Israel to call a ceasefire while still leaving the remnants of their terrorist army intact.'The West or West Putney !Obviously Israel and the USA should put most pressure on getting back the 2023 hostages and the corpses of those murdered by Hamas.After that Israel should ensure Mossad and the IDF provide it with an invulnerable cordon sanitaire around Gaza and the West Bank to protect its borders and then pick off the Hamas leaders and fighters one by one.Or am I being a bit too touchy feely😉 ?

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr BrigoMy post of 30/10/25 13:23 was referring to your responses to Mr Rose.Slow down old man !

John Hawkes ● 16d

I suspect that Hamas will not agree to Trump's plan. They are counting on the fact that there are enough useful idiots in the West to put pressure on Israel to call a ceasefire while still leaving the remnants of their terrorist army intact.

Steven Rose ● 16d

I didn't make any of those comments originally, it was Mr Rose.Do keep up old boy.

Michael Brigo ● 16d

Mr Pike'No doubt the useful idiots will be out marching soon  empowering the terrorists'.I suspect the West Putney Front for the Liberation of Palestine are getting out their black and white tea towels and face masks as we speak.As well has trying to memorise ‘Khaybar, Khaybar, Ya Yahud! Jaish Mohammad sawf ya’ud!’, which means ‘Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews! The Army of Muhammad Will Return!’ 😉

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Brigo'Happy to condemn all violence against civilians *anywhere* as I have previously done on many occasions.'But not with the regularity with which you criticise Israel.'I believe we should hold our allies to a higher standard, are we not supposed to be the good guys?.But not to the extent of using terms that are accusative and attacking in nature. Sympathetic yet supportive comment and criticism would be appropriate were one to really believe what you claim - which I do not.'This isnt a question.'Nor was it meant to be.It was just part of a response to a comment you made prior, namely 'Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government.'My advice to you is to stick to the topic of the thread which is antisemitism rather than trying to be a clever clogs.You are not up to it 🥱 !

John Hawkes ● 16d

No doubt the useful idiots will be out marching soon  empowering the terrorists.

Andy Pike ● 16d

1) Why is the vast majority of criticism of state action directed at the JEWISH state of Israel and not other states which have appalling records of human rights abuse and aggression which I have listed in earlier posts ?Happy to condemn all violence against civilians *anywhere* as I have previously done on many occasions.2) What is it that Israel does that makes it in the minds of people like you worthy of such unique and continuous opprobrium ?I believe we should hold our allies to a higher standard, are we not supposed to be the good guys?3) 'Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government.'This isnt a question

Michael Brigo ● 16d

Mr Boyce'We should be very careful not to be manipulated and played by these dark forces'.What 'dark forces' ?The action of the Syrian Arab Jihad Al-Shamie speaks for itself does it not .Fanatical Arab kills Jews.Or do you have a more nuanced explanation ?

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Rose'he UN Commission which found Israel guilty of genocide consisted of three people: Navi Pillay, a retired South African judge; Miloon Kothari, an Indian commissioner; and Chris Sidoti, an Australian lawyer. They were appointed by the UNHCR, a body which has a standing order to debate a resolution on Israel at least one per session but has never passed a single resolution condemning abuses in Algeria, Cuba, China, Iraq or Zimbabwe.'On this issue at least, the UN is a joke and will never give Israel a fair hearing.In fact The UN said "that nine staff working for its Palestine refugee agency UNRWA will be sacked because they may have been involved in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks against Israel". 'As of September 2025, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 159 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 83% of all UN members. The State of Israel was formally established by the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948, and was admitted to the United Nations (UN) as a full member state on 11 May 1949'.Meaning 27% of states or statelets still don't even recognise Israel as a sovereign state, most of them of course being Arabic.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Brigo'"Many of these individuals angrily deny that criticism of Israel equates to anti-Semitism. And of course they are right. The two things are not the same. Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government."'1) Why is the vast majority of criticism of state action directed at the JEWISH state of Israel and not other states which have appalling records of human rights abuse and aggression which I have listed in earlier posts ?Might it not be possible that the reason is antisemitism which has been perpetrated on the Jews for millennia ?2) What is it that Israel does that makes it in the minds of people like you worthy of such unique and continuous opprobrium ?3) 'Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government.'Some I would say, not 'many', and it is a credit to Israel that they are free to do so which of course is NOT the case of the Muslim Arab states that surround and threatens it.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Rose'Anti-Semitism takes different forms.'Yet again an erudite analysis of the topic in question.I look forward but with little confidence, to a rebuttal of what you write from the anti-Jewish cabal on this Forum particularly Mr Brigo.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Boyce'this has nothing to do with politics'.Of course it does.The antisemitic attack was carried out by a Syrian Islamist Arab who somehow had been granted British citizenship.God knows how but a political decision none the less.And it was a culmination of all the pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli (ie anti-Jewish) political sentiment that increasingly dominates not only our media but also the Government, the ruling Labour Party and even its leader Kier Starmer.If there were any good reason for setting up a national id scheme it would be to identify Palestinian immigrants and ship them back to the West Bank and Gaza in order to set up a Palestinian state they claim to deserve and that Starmer has declared exists. When we have reached a stage when British citizens of Jewish faith can be murdered on our streets by aliens then we should all be concerned.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Carter'antisemitism is vile.'Yes, but repeated attacks by many on this Forum on the Jewish state of Israel and its actions of self-defence, whilst ignoring terror activities of not just Palestinian Arabs in Hamas but those of other failed states, are OK I presume.  Such attacks are of course simply proxy antisemitic attacks on Jews.Don't be a hypocrite with your faux sympathy.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Well it sounds as if you have no faith in the impartiality and credibility of the authors of the report, and therefore, you would dismiss it. Fair enough, Steve, that is entirely your choice.In due course, the ICJ will make their decision on the report and that is their job.In the meantime, while the wheels of justice grind very slowly around and around, people are losing their lives and living in states of fear. This intolerable situation needs to come to an end as soon as possible, irrespective of the ICJ procedures. The man who carried out the attack yesterday did it for whatever reasons he did it for; he has no longer the right or ability to convey his message, just as he denied others. Many people will project on to his actions motives and reasons for this attack for their own ulterior motives and with the aim of turning people against each other and creating wider divisions. We should be very careful not to be manipulated and played by these dark forces.

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

The UN Commission which found Israel guilty of genocide consisted of three people: Navi Pillay, a retired South African judge; Miloon Kothari, an Indian commissioner; and Chris Sidoti, an Australian lawyer. They were appointed by the UNHCR, a body which has a standing order to debate a resolution on Israel at least one per session but has never passed a single resolution condemning abuses in Algeria, Cuba, China, Iraq or Zimbabwe.There are well founded doubts about the independence of this panel. In 2020 Navi Pillay signed a petition lobbbying governments to 'sanction apartheid Israel'. She also signed a letter to Joe Biden in 2021 accusing Israel of provoking war through 'aggressive actions' and practising 'discrimination and systematic oppression'. Miloon Kothari, speaking on an anti-Zionist website in 2022, said that he was 'very disheartened by the social media that is controlled largely by - whether it is the Jewish lobby or specific NGOs'. A month later he apologised, saying 'It was completely wrong for me to describe social media as "being controlled largely by the Jewish lobby" '. Chris Sidoti is reported to have told the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 that some Jews were 'throwing around accusations of anti-Semitism like rice at a wedding'. These are not the comments  to be expected from independent judicial figures and I think all three should have recused themselves.Interestingly Alice Wairimu Nderitu was hired in 2020 as the UN special advisor on the prevention of genocide. After October 7 she issued a statement condemning Hamas' attack. She received a stern email from a civil servant at the UN Office of Human Rights, criticising her statement as 'one-sided', adding that it 'might cause reputational risk on the image of the United Nations as an independent neutral impartial body'. Against considerable pressure she refused to describe Israel's war in Gaza as genocide on the grounds that Israel was not seeking to eliminate an ethnic group or civilian population. She said that in its obsession with Israel the UN was ignoring atrocities in Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar. She received threatening phone calls, emails and social media messages such as 'Filthy Zionist rat, you will burn in hell forever for supporting the rape and murder of little kids by your bestial masters'. Her contract was not renewed by the Secretary General at the end of 2024.

Steven Rose ● 16d

'accusations of genocide are now common currency among supposedly well disposed individuals...'To be clear, Steven, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel said in a report last month that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The report sets out their case clearly, rationally and is well documented. The International Court of Justice will make a decision in due course. In the meantime, many, many people hope that the bloodshed, violence and destruction stops without further delay. There is no link whatsoever between the UN report and the person who carried out the atrocious killings in Manchester.

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

Yes, but when accusations of genocide are now common currency among supposedly well disposed individuals, is it any wonder that some crazed anti-Semites will be invited to commit terrorist acts?

Steven Rose ● 16d

Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed officers minutes after he targeted Heaton Park Synagogue this morning. It is understood he entered the United Kingdom as a young child, before being granted British citizenship in 2006.  Two men aged in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack, police added.

Sue Hammond ● 16d

"Many of these individuals angrily deny that criticism of Israel equates to anti-Semitism. And of course they are right. The two things are not the same. Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government."Correctamundo. I would never wish harm on anyone of any faith (or non faith) and never have.

Michael Brigo ● 16d

Anti-Semitism takes different forms. There is the murderous type of anti-Semite  like the man who carried out the attack in Manchester. There are the vicious individuals who scream obscenities at Jewish people in the streets. There are Holocaust deniers like the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (who some would like to see as the leader of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank).  There are conspiracy theorists like Dr Rahmeh Aladwan who believes that Britain is ‘occupied and controlled by Jewish supremacy’(recently cleared to practise medicine by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal). Then there are more sophisticated forms of anti-Semitism. There are the anti-Zionists who deny Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish homeland , justifying their prejudice by one-sided accounts of the history of the region. Finally there are the critics of Israel. Many of these individuals angrily deny that criticism of Israel equates to anti-Semitism. And of course they are right. The two things are not the same. Indeed many Israelis are critical of their of their own government. But at times criticism of Israel can cross the line viz1) false accusations of genocide (a particularly wounding charge given that the Jewish people were the victims of the worst genocide in human history eighty years ago and were attacked on October 7 by Hamas, an avowedly genocidal organisation)2) judging Israel by standards that are never applied to other countries (such as Britain whose airforce killed tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of German civilians during the war)3) singling out Israel for particular and constant condemnation while overlooking actual genocide in Sudan, ethnic cleansing in Myanmar and cultural genocide in China4) nasty remarks such as the accusation that the Israelis are ‘weaponising’ the Holocaust when the truth is that they fear a second Holocaust at the hands of their Arab neighbours, many of whom deny Israel’s right to exist.

Steven Rose ● 16d

@Lucille for the Central London date heads up.It’s hard not to go into Central London when the rest of my family live there.  My father-in-law is a spritely 101 years old and to have uneducated people scream obscenities at his family is beyond shameful as he walks his beloved London.People do not need to name and shame on this Forum we can all make our own minds up.

Robert Wheeler ● 16d

Just shut it.  Or if the cap fits, wear it.

Sue Hammond ● 16d

"Let's face it I could name at least six antisemites that post on this Forum"Go on then!

Michael Brigo ● 16d

Hopefully, the extremely fast response to the attack on the synagogue in Manchester today, will give some reassurance to the Jewish community that these acts will not be tolerated and will be dealt with quickly and efficiently. An attack on ANY community here is an attack on all of us, and now it is important that we do not let those who wish to divide us win; solidarity and caring is vital. In the past, Manchester has survived attacks by the IRA and by Islamic extremists and came together in solidarity, I am sure this attack, for whatever reasons and carried out by whoever, will bring the community together to show, once again, that it stands united. As far as I am concerned, this has nothing to do with politics, with foreign governments or with foreign wars, this is an attack on us all as a community and a society. I am sure all sane individuals here will mourn for the victims, their families and friends and the wider Jewish Community.Shalom.

Gerry Boyce ● 16d

Like many of my fellow Jews, Sue, I am not surprised at today's atrocity. It was only a matter of time.

Lucille Grant ● 16d

Robert there is a central London commemoration of 7/10 on Sunday. Definitely don't go into central London on Saturday as Palestine Action will be out in force. The next pro Hamas démo is Saturday 11 October.

Lucille Grant ● 16d

Of course I agree, Martine: what happened in Manchester today was truly dreadful, and antisemitism is vile.

Richard Carter ● 16d

I agree it’s an appalling attack.

Martine Guy ● 16d

“Let’s face it I could name at least six antisemites that post on this forum”Yes and they have been conspicuously silent today.I know that Lucille has been feeling unsafe for quite some time and probably dreading an incident like today, which is particularly horrific to happen on the Jewish holiest day.  The motive is not yet been determined but I do think the Government must take some blame because it has allowed the pro-Palestine marches to get out of hand and they have fanned the flames of hatred towards Jews.

Sue Hammond ● 17d

No l am not surprised.  I am also used to Jewish schools having to pay for their own security.  Schools for goodness sake and still our society accepted it.  Can you imagine the outrage if it was needed at Hotham, St.Marys or any of our other brilliant schools.  This Government must go after antisemitism firmly and robustly.  Any group taking Government funding must have conditions put upon them to stop this hatred.  The silence now is shameful.This Saturday my Central London relatives will again not be able to walk freely without demonstrations from Palestinian supporters who are deluded in their hatred and language.

Robert Wheeler ● 17d

Mr Wheeler'What a society we have been become where Jews are openly being targeted and sadly lost their lives'.Are you surprised ?Antisemitism is rife in the UK.Let's face it I could name at least six antisemites that post on this Forum who will probably try to put the affair 'in context'.And nationally and globally the vast majority of the media is continually critical of the actions Israel carries out without recognising that it is in self-defence from attacks by barbaric Palestinian Arabs that declare a wish to see the country and its citizens destroyed.It is portrayed as the epitome of evil.Islamism pursues the beliefs of racist terrorist groups like Hamas and so many UK citizens for some reason go along with and excuse it for its murderous actions.The decent majority that don't must make their voices known in support of Israel and particularly British Jews. "First they came for the Jews, next it will be the Christians, then YOU"

John Hawkes ● 17d

There have been reports that an attack was anticipated. And people wonder why Jews need Israel.

Lucille Grant ● 17d

An appalling incident and an incredibly fast response by the police.

Michael Ixer ● 17d

Beyond appalling and most certainly unforgivable.  Despicable does not quite fit the crime.

Ivonne Holliday ● 17d