‘Criticism of Israel is not antisemitic’ – UK Jewish group’s viral video

“Antisemitism is real. Criticism of Israel is not antisemitic.”

That’s the clear message from a UK Jewish group whose social media video featuring members repeating these two statements has now gone viral.

The reel by Hastings Jews for Justice, with backing from several prominent Jewish groups, has racked up tens of thousands of views and shares on Instagram and Facebook, with hundreds of supportive comments.

 

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They released it alongside a statement on their website condemning as ‘dangerous’ the conflation by the media and prominent UK politicians of recent antisemitic attacks in the UK with the anti-genocide marches in London.

The group says this weaponisation, and attacks on civil liberties, aim to prevent criticism of Israel, defining anyone who ‘supports the struggle of the Palestinian people’ as antisemitic.

The statement goes on:

Antisemitism is horrific and its impact cannot be minimised. But rushing to ban pro-Palestinian marches and to curtail freedom of expression will not reduce antisemitism or ensure more safety for Jews.

Instead it will destroy our civil rights and freedom of expression. Furthermore, by continuing to distort the meaning of antisemitism for purely political reasons, most particularly to suppress any criticism of Israel, it will ultimately put more Jews at risk.

The group also deplores the recent rise in Islamophobia, stating:

Anti-Muslim hate is now at record levels, fuelled by divisive and irresponsible rhetoric, resulting in attacks on mosques, people and communities. There is no one special form of racism. We can only fight hate and division together: safety can only be assured through solidarity.

A spokesperson for the group said:

We are furious that so much mainstream discourse continues to peddle the lie that the London marches in solidarity with Palestinians being annihilated are in any way antisemitic. It’s nonsense.

Our growing Jewish bloc is met with nothing but love and warmth. Jewish people in this country are heartbroken and enraged by Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and now in Lebanon.

We invite mainstream media to join us on the next march and walk by our side the whole way to see the truth for themselves and report accurately to their audience exactly what we experience.

Jewish fears should never be used for political ends, in this case to protect a country committing a livestreamed genocide.

Featured image via Hastings Jews for Justice