“Jewish Londoners ‘make plans to flee capital’ amid huge antisemitism wave”

This is the headline from the London’s paper: “Jewish Londoners ‘make plans to flee capital’ amid huge antisemitism wave” (The Standard).

Martin Bentham writes:

Growing numbers of Jewish families are considering fleeing London for abroad because of rising antisemitism in the capital, campaigners warned on Tuesday as they demanded tougher action to combat intimidation and hate.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said some Jewish residents had already left because of fears for their safety.

But it added that the number of those considering leaving London was increasing daily in response to hostility being displayed towards them.

The campaign group has exposed a series of antisemitic attacks in London amid reports of increasing nervousness among Jewish people about their safety.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said an earlier opinion survey had already shown that about half of Jewish people were considering moving abroad and that the trend was growing because of continuing hostility from sections of the community.

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This is incredibly depressing. 

As a Londoner, I must admit that I feel this article has somewhat overstated the problem — if not a bit misleading. People are not seriously “fleeing” the Capital.

On the other hand, it is very definitely hostile. For example, at university, Jewish people feel that it is not safe to wear Jewish identifiers:

Jewish students are covering kippahs with baseball caps and hiding Star of David necklaces amid soaring reports of anti-Semitism at UK universities. Undergraduates at some of Britain’s leading institutions have told The Telegraph they feel “afraid” and “on edge” on campus. One student described how she put up posters of hostages taken by Hamas in her university town, only to see them ripped off the wall within 45 minutes. The accounts come as reports of anti-Semitic incidents in the 18 days following the Hamas terror attacks hit a record high.

Ms Schwinger, who admitted sometimes hiding her Star of David necklace when she walked past a pro-Palestine protest or rally, said she and others had reported signs held at such demonstrations, including one that read “Intifada until victory”. (The Daily Telegraph)

Pupils at a London Jewish school have been allowed to not wear their school blazer amid hate crime fears (The Independent). They even had to cancel after school clubs so students can go together on the school buses. And, then, there have been instances of public buses refusing to stop for Jewish school children (The Independent). 

People have been reporting antisemitic graffiti, stickers and posters — often by Jewish schools or Jewish graveyards. One of my own local shops actually had “from the river to the sea” written by its entrance. Disgusting. 

Immediately after the Jews were targeted in an evil attack, antisemitic incidents hit record highs. Why? Where is all the disgust and racism and hatred against Russians? People don’t care about russia because it’s not Jewish.

London isn’t Nazi Germany. But, for me, I think we should be mindful of history. The chants didn’t immediately start by saying “murder all the Jews”. but, people having to hide their Jewish identity is how it all begins. We should be very careful.

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Update: article below from earlier in the week: