Tag: antisemitism

Why the marches need to stop

It has been strongly argued that allowing demonstrations concerning Israel and Palestine to go ahead was important because this is about free speech and because the protests were essentially peaceful.  Whether or not that was the case in October  2024, and even then I thought it peculiar that the focus of the demonstrator’s anger seemed… Continue reading Why the marches need to stop

Antisemitism Myths

Over the past few weeks there has been a substantial increase in the number of reported incidents of antisemitism in the UK.  One of the big challenges with antisemitism is that it tends to get ignored or treated differently to other forms of racism and this is in part, I believe because of the following… Continue reading Antisemitism Myths

Israel, Jews, Zionism and antisemitism

One of the little examples of semantics that tends to come up when talking about antisemitism is the potential difference between being antisemitic and anti-Zionist.  It’s probably helpful first of all to talk about terms. Jews: A recognised ethnic people group with minorities around the world.  There are 7.8 million Jews in the modern state… Continue reading Israel, Jews, Zionism and antisemitism

It’s complicated … and it isn’t

In the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were those who argued that our responsibility as Christians was simply to pray for and work for peace. This was often accompanied by calls for a ceasefire.  Similarly, there have been those who have responded to events in Israel and Gaza with similar appeals for… Continue reading It’s complicated … and it isn’t

Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

There’s a lot of prophecy that points to an age of prosperity and peace for the people of Israel.  Various Scriptures describe a situation where exiles return to the land, many enemies are defeated, the Temple rebuilt, God’s King reigning and the nations looking to Israel’s King for wisdom, teaching and leadership. Well, there seem… Continue reading Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

On Saturday we woke up to horrific news from Israel as Hamas terrorists had cut through security fencing and infiltrated into much of southern Israel where they had gunned people down and taken hostages. They had also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israel.  We are used to tensions in the Middle East but something seemed… Continue reading Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Antisemitism and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Part revisited

I am returning to a subject that I’ve talked about a few times, the issue of antisemitism especially when it creeps into public life.  I’m returning to it now because it has remained a significant issue and because it particularly related to what happened in the Labour Party between 2016-2019.  When there’s a change of… Continue reading Antisemitism and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Part revisited

Antisemitism, The Guardian, The Spectator and Editorial Standards

Last week, the chairman of the BBC resigned.  The Guardian’s Martin Rowson chose to depict this with a cartoon showing Boris Johnson sat on a pile of money with Richard Sharp walking away holding a box.  Now, there is nothing unusual about those bare details. It’s usual to depict someone leaving their job, especially if… Continue reading Antisemitism, The Guardian, The Spectator and Editorial Standards

Antisemitism, Amnesty and the IHRA definition

Amnesty International report that they’ve joined with a number of civil rights organisations in writing to the UN asking them not to adopt the IHRA’s definition of Antisemitism.  They are arguing that the definition can and has been used in order to suppress legitimate protest against the state of Israel, particularly in relation to its… Continue reading Antisemitism, Amnesty and the IHRA definition