NEW DELHI
Anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise in the UK as tensions escalate with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Demonstrations across the nation, including cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and London, have seen tens of thousands of people calling for a free Palestine. The protesters have demanded world leaders condemn the actions of the Israeli army. The Community Safety Trust (CST), an organization monitoring such attacks, reports a sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas launched terror attacks targeting Israeli civilians. In just one week, CST recorded 109 anti-Semitic incidents in Greater London, 22 in Greater Manchester, and others across various locations in the UK. With over 270,000 Jews residing in the UK, reports of anti-Semitism continue to surge.
To gain insights into the situation and the broader context, The Daily Guardian down with Terry Newman, a British-Israeli entrepreneur and investor who has extensive experience working in the Middle East and former Chief of Staff to Lord Janner. In this exclusive interview with The Daily Guardian, Terry Newman shares his perspective on the conflict, the impact of rising anti-Semitism, and the international response. Excerpts:
Q: How have the reports of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK been influenced by the most recent events in Israel and Gaza? Can you highlight specific incidents that have affected the security and peace of Jews living in the UK?
A: In the UK, many Jewish schools and institutions have taken the difficult decision to close their doors, prompted by concerns for the safety of their students. It is disheartening to witness the police being called upon to ensure the protection of these facilities in one of the world’s leading democracies. A notable transformation can be observed when considering the concerns of immigrant communities, particularly British-Pakistani individuals whose roots in the UK extend a generation or two. In the past, the central issue that animated this community was the Kashmir conflict, yet today, the Palestinian cause drives the current generation of British-Pakistani origin individuals. This shift can be largely attributed to the influential Palestinian public relations apparatus.
The matter of language usage is of paramount importance, especially in the media, including newspapers. The BBC, as the UK’s premier news organization, has made a somewhat unconventional choice in describing particular groups. For example, despite Hamas being officially designated as a terrorist organization under UK law, the event on October 7th is undeniably an act of terrorism committed by terrorists targeting innocent civilians. Hamas initiated a surprise attack that left over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, brutally murdered, including women and children. They were victims of beheadings, rape, and even being burnt alive in their homes. There are over 200 individuals kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza, including more than 30 babies and children. Over 3,000 are in the hospital. To put this in perspective, it’s approximately 15 times the scale of the 9/11 attacks. Surprisingly, the BBC has opted to label these individuals as “gunmen” or “militants” rather than “terrorists.” When questioned about this terminology, a leading BBC journalist in Israel cited the BBC’s aim to maintain impartiality and avoid taking sides. Nevertheless, the BBC must be held accountable for its word choices and editorial decisions, as they contribute to anti-Semitism within the UK. It’s quite straightforward: when an organization is officially labeled as a terrorist group involved in acts of terrorism, it should be accurately characterized as such. The situation becomes even more perplexing in cases where Hamas issues statements denying the targeting of civilians while Israel asserts otherwise.
However, in instances where there is clear video evidence of Hamas perpetrating these attacks, it becomes undeniably evident that Hamas was indeed targeting civilians. Another instance involves an errant missile from the Islamic Jihad striking a hospital car park. The BBC reported it as “Israel blows up Palestinian Hospital,” citing Palestinian health sources, a narrative that shifted from a factual account of the incident to questioning Israel’s role and ultimately leading to Israel’s denial of involvement. This style of reporting blurs the lines and can mislead readers, implying that the word of a terrorist organization holds the same weight as that of a Western democratic country’s military. Such misleading reporting is not only a concern but also dangerous, as it has the potential to contribute to acts of aggression and instability.
Q: Could you elaborate on how political leaders and Opposition parties in the UK have reacted to the Israel-Hamas conflict, and what impact it has had on public sentiment in the country?
A: The British government aligns itself with the United States, Israel, Germany, and France in recognizing the recent events as a significant terrorist attack on innocent civilians. The response from these countries has been clear and unambiguous.
They understand that Hamas must be held accountable and destroyed, just as ISIS had to be defeated. These military actions are not taken lightly, and the UK, along with other Western democracies, is showing its solidarity in the face of this threat. In this broader context, it’s worth noting that Iran and Russia have an open military alliance, and they’ve supported groups like Hamas. These developments are not isolated incidents; they are part of a larger geopolitical struggle. The British government’s stance sends a clear message that democracies will stand together and will not allow the forces of darkness to prevail.
Q: What’s your perspective on the role of the British government, especially with Prime Minister Sunak’s recent visit to Israel, in addressing the humanitarian crisis and diffusing the conflict?
A: Prime Minister Sunak’s visit to Israel was of immense significance for multiple reasons. First, it sent a powerful message of solidarity to the Israeli population, who have endured a severe terrorist attack.
Second, it communicates the British government’s position to its own citizens, emphasizing that they stand with Israel during this crisis. Lastly, it delivers a strong message to the international community that the UK stands by its allies when they need support. This reaffirms the resolve of the Western democratic world.