It can’t happen here?

Antisemitism is spreading and allowed to go unchecked in the UK and across Europe. The frequency of unchallenged antisemitic comments in a mainstream political party, as well as in the pernicious sections of social media, is increasing. The number of recorded malicious acts motivated by prejudice against the Jewish community is rising and has been for some time. The Guardian reported that 2017 saw a 34% rise in violent assaults against Jewish people in the UK, and the number is increasing in 2018.

The same-old antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories are spreading openly and seem to be equally acceptable to educated people on the left and the right.

We need to raise stronger opposition on all sides to the rehashing of these ancient fictions. We must not sit back and think it won’t get worse, that nothing can really happen in the UK.

No civilised society can ignore, hide or bury antisemitism in any form: it does so at its peril. History proves that antisemitism is a first stage in the collapse of the moral fabric of society and the first rung on the ladder of prejudice and discrimination that leads to hatred and violence. Hatred of one group within society leads to hatred of other minorities.

Andrew Gwynne, Shadow Communities Secretary, said he is extremely concerned, emphasising “how important it is that we all make a conscious effort to call out and confront antisemitism.” I thank him for saying this but would like to know exactly what efforts he and his party are making to stem this hatred and call to account those responsible.

In fact, I would like to see all the political leaders of our country, professionals, academics, workers, and all decent-thinking British citizens doing whatever they can to put an overt stop to this prejudice now, before it becomes even more wide-spread. We must stand up and show that this verbal and physical abuse will not be allowed to pass unopposed in our society and in our country. We must not turn a blind eye. We must not be bystanders.

I support and endorse this action.
You can make a difference. Be an upstander; be active now.

 

Michael Newman, Chief Executive Officer