Jewish schools in Europe are closed today. Synagogues and other places where Jews gather have been evaluating the risk they face and acting as they need to. Some might say that the claims Hamas has called for a “Day of Rage” today are internet rumours but we have to take them seriously because the consequences of failing to are so severe.
There will be calls for jihad against Jews. There always are. As emboldened as militants and wanna-bes are by Hamas’, as they see it, success in killing Jews (and yes, I chose that designation specifically and intentionally) last weekend, it won’t be different now. There have been and will be calls for jihad against us.
When Palestine attacks Israel, antisemitic violence around the world increases. When Israel attacks Palestine, antisemitic violence around the world increases. This is what diaspora Jews live with.
Bomb threats on diaspora Jewish organisations started last Saturday. Diaspora Jews have been on high alert all week.
The majority of people at those demonstrations will be peaceful. But some won’t. Some will use the gatherings to foment violence against diaspora Jews. There’s no right answer in this. If you’re affected and chaffing at the denial of your right to shout in numbers, please consider that this ban will very likely save lives, especially in France. Please don’t dismiss this just because those lives are diaspora Jews and you don’t much care about us.
Edit: Notices the number of people who have convinced themselves that putting French Jews in danger is alright, cause you know, Palestine. Terror attacks against Jews in France is a thing, you know. Done in the name of freeing Palestine, as if French Jews had the power to change anything in another country.
This ban also legitimises the idea that supporting Palestine is equal to supporting terrorism or antisemitism, which also can increase hate crimes against them (and Arab people in general)
The median age in Gaza is 18…half the population is literal children because no one lives long enough to grow old. The reality of what Israel is doing to the people in Palestine is not something that can be hidden from and handwaved away any more.
Unfortunately most western states have completely ignored for years the atrocities committed against the people in Palestine. Not allowing these kinds of protests also prevents people in those countries from voicing their rejection of their governments position, making it more difficult for those governments to change their postures.
Putting pressure on Israel’s allies is for most people the only way they have to support Palestinians
The Israeli government is able to pursue its horrible policies because of a lack of support for palastinian people.
Preventing protest in powerful nations stops public opinion changing. Public opinion allows the political establishment to continue to avoid historical responsibility.
If western nations drop support of Israel and start using sanctions etc it would be much harder to destroy Gaza.
I feel like this would need protests well beyond the scale I can imagine any of the populations in these nations mounting, and that they’d have to be backed by widespread blockades & strikes.
But mostly that very little would slow Israel down, short of the US intervening militarily in the next few hours.
I understand, today my own nation votes to slap down a hand outstretched in peace and warmth. In my own state police deploy anti terror powers to crack down on anyone attending a rally against Israeli militancy.
But if we give up nothing will improve, and everything good we have started small and grew into unstoppable movements.
Am lucky on this one, in that my country is generally supportive of Palestinians and even our neoliberal government has been critical of Israel’s behaviour, now and also in the past. It is unlikely that they’d ban the protests.
Though if they did, it could easily result in far more people taking to the streets.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavours, wherever you are.
Jewish schools in Europe are closed today. Synagogues and other places where Jews gather have been evaluating the risk they face and acting as they need to. Some might say that the claims Hamas has called for a “Day of Rage” today are internet rumours but we have to take them seriously because the consequences of failing to are so severe.
There will be calls for jihad against Jews. There always are. As emboldened as militants and wanna-bes are by Hamas’, as they see it, success in killing Jews (and yes, I chose that designation specifically and intentionally) last weekend, it won’t be different now. There have been and will be calls for jihad against us.
When Palestine attacks Israel, antisemitic violence around the world increases. When Israel attacks Palestine, antisemitic violence around the world increases. This is what diaspora Jews live with.
Bomb threats on diaspora Jewish organisations started last Saturday. Diaspora Jews have been on high alert all week.
The majority of people at those demonstrations will be peaceful. But some won’t. Some will use the gatherings to foment violence against diaspora Jews. There’s no right answer in this. If you’re affected and chaffing at the denial of your right to shout in numbers, please consider that this ban will very likely save lives, especially in France. Please don’t dismiss this just because those lives are diaspora Jews and you don’t much care about us.
Edit: Notices the number of people who have convinced themselves that putting French Jews in danger is alright, cause you know, Palestine. Terror attacks against Jews in France is a thing, you know. Done in the name of freeing Palestine, as if French Jews had the power to change anything in another country.
This ban also legitimises the idea that supporting Palestine is equal to supporting terrorism or antisemitism, which also can increase hate crimes against them (and Arab people in general)
This ban will allow the Israeli state to continue murdering an entire people unchecked
What a bizarre and unfounded leap. Your assertion is completely and entirely false.
The median age in Gaza is 18…half the population is literal children because no one lives long enough to grow old. The reality of what Israel is doing to the people in Palestine is not something that can be hidden from and handwaved away any more.
You underestimate people’s capacity for handwaving atrocities away, especially when it comes to Muslims
Unfortunately most western states have completely ignored for years the atrocities committed against the people in Palestine. Not allowing these kinds of protests also prevents people in those countries from voicing their rejection of their governments position, making it more difficult for those governments to change their postures.
Putting pressure on Israel’s allies is for most people the only way they have to support Palestinians
Am against this ban, but I do not see how protests in France would be any kind of check on the actions of the Israeli military in Palestine.
The Israeli government is able to pursue its horrible policies because of a lack of support for palastinian people.
Preventing protest in powerful nations stops public opinion changing. Public opinion allows the political establishment to continue to avoid historical responsibility.
If western nations drop support of Israel and start using sanctions etc it would be much harder to destroy Gaza.
I feel like this would need protests well beyond the scale I can imagine any of the populations in these nations mounting, and that they’d have to be backed by widespread blockades & strikes.
But mostly that very little would slow Israel down, short of the US intervening militarily in the next few hours.
Larger scale action takes smaller scale first
Of course.
I guess I’ve become very pessimistic over the years, which is not good.
Like I’ll still turn out to stuff, but with none of the hope in my heart I’d have had in the past.
I understand, today my own nation votes to slap down a hand outstretched in peace and warmth. In my own state police deploy anti terror powers to crack down on anyone attending a rally against Israeli militancy.
But if we give up nothing will improve, and everything good we have started small and grew into unstoppable movements.
Am lucky on this one, in that my country is generally supportive of Palestinians and even our neoliberal government has been critical of Israel’s behaviour, now and also in the past. It is unlikely that they’d ban the protests.
Though if they did, it could easily result in far more people taking to the streets.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavours, wherever you are.
Seems disingenuous to mention this without bringing up the fact that anti Palestinian and anti Muslim attacks and hate have also risen.