Kemi Badenoch in the DT today, bemoans that "anti-semitism has become acceptable at dinner parties". I find that very surprising indeed. Either in the UK or here in Thailand, I'm happy to say that I know no one at all that is anti-semitic one jot. Conversely, nearly everyone I know is now anti-Israel! Why would that be?

Israel has for years now, been committing it's own great sins. Understandably, many people want to demonstrate about the murderous brutality and destruction that has been wreaked in Gaza, the West Bank and now the south of Lebanon, (where a million people have recently been displaced).

Unfortunately these demonstrations in the UK provide cover for genuine anti-semitic elements to bring their own evil, though the vast majority of those involved are IMO, likely to be anti-Israel NOT anti-semitic.

Israel has long had a policy to attribute all criticism of itself to 'anti-semitism' and has done this so persistently well that any criticism of Israel itself is sidestepped. Anti-semitism is the cover story that allows Israel to appear as the victim rather than the perpertrator

A million people in Lebanon have now been displaced, possibly permanently in recent weeks, (and the Israelis have even been demolishing some public buildings that survive the initial onslaughts).

Of course the UK Govt. needs to ban the IRGC immediately.

It's also imperative to find ways to control genuine anti-semitic elements in UK .

We must also allow those who deplore Israel's war crimes, to have their own clear voice in legitimate protest.

Good luck PM with that - this ploy is entrenched !

Edited May 3May 3 by TorquayFan

Well said. Any right-minded person should be angered by Israel's actions in Gaza, on the occupied Left Bank and in Southern Lebanon. But that in no way makes someone anti-semitic.

16 hours ago, TorquayFan said:

Kemi Badenoch in the DT today, bemoans that "anti-semitism has become acceptable at dinner parties". I find that very surprising indeed. Either in the UK or here in Thailand, I'm happy to say that I know no one at all that is anti-semitic one jot. Conversely, nearly everyone I know is now anti-Israel! Why would that be?

Israel has for years now, been committing it's own great sins. Understandably, many people want to demonstrate about the murderous brutality and destruction that has been wreaked in Gaza, the West Bank and now the south of Lebanon, (where a million people have recently been displaced).

Unfortunately these demonstrations in the UK provide cover for genuine anti-semitic elements to bring their own evil, though the vast majority of those involved are IMO, likely to be anti-Israel NOT anti-semitic.

Israel has long had a policy to attribute all criticism of itself to 'anti-semitism' and has done this so persistently well that any criticism of Israel itself is sidestepped. Anti-semitism is the cover story that allows Israel to appear as the victim rather than the perpertrator

A million people in Lebanon have now been displaced, possibly permanently in recent weeks, (and the Israelis have even been demolishing some public buildings that survive the initial onslaughts).

Of course the UK Govt. needs to ban the IRGC immediately.

It's also imperative to find ways to control genuine anti-semitic elements in UK .

We must also allow those who deplore Israel's war crimes, to have their own clear voice in legitimate protest.

Good luck PM with that - this ploy is entrenched !

That is absolutely correct and a spot on analysis. It is of extreme importance to differentiate between people protesting against Israel's approach to this war in Gaza, and the treatment of the Palestinian people, and antisemitism. They are two completely different things, however Israel is an extremely thin skinned nation, and very intolerant of any sort of criticism. As a Jew I know that many Jews are thin-skinned when it comes to any sort of criticism of Israel, and it's often interpreted as being anti-semitic.

I've been called a Jew hater for criticizing Israeli policy so I know how sensitive the issue can be, and it's very important to interpret it correctly. Jews and all people have the right to be critical of Israeli policy, especially now that the extremists have taken over, gotten the support of a hateful PM, and are engaging in what could be called a ridiculously disproportionate campaign against the Gazans. Many call it genocide. And it would appear as though their goal is in trying to erase the Palestinian population.

Many on this forum try to oversimplify things, and I am likewise called an America hater and anti-American for criticizing Trump policy, and the ridiculous war of choice in Iran. Some incredibly silly and juvenile snowflakes have even gone so far as to label me a traitor. Those very same people seem to be forgetting the very foundation of democracy.

16 hours ago, TorquayFan said:

I'm happy to say that I know no one at all that is anti-semitic one jot.

I guess you don't know many people then.

Yes Flor, actually I do, (know many people). What are you trying to say, please elucidate . . . .

Spider - thanks for yours.

Just now, spidermike007 said:

I've been called a Jew hater for criticizing Israeli policy

You are

Just now, spidermike007 said:

I am likewise called an America hater and anti-American for criticizing Trump policy

You are

Just now, spidermike007 said:

the ridiculous war of choice in Iran

That shows you are.

Your hatred of Trump is so pathologically demented that you would stand in the smoking rubble of the White House and wave an Iranian flag in triumph.

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

Any right-minded person should be angered by Israel's actions in Gaza, on the occupied Left Bank and in Southern Lebanon

In International waters just off Crete. 🙂

Yagoda - are you quite ok ? I doubt very much that Spider's position is fairly described in your post !!!

Just now, TorquayFan said:

Yagoda - are you quite ok ?

He obviously isn't. Or his online persona is pretending not to be, at least.

The simple innocent mention of hooked-nose Jewry, or similar, has him absolutely freaking out without fail.

Just now, Packer said:

The simple innocent mention of hooked-nose Jewry, or similar, has him absolutely freaking out without fail.

"The "Jewish nose" or hooked-nose is a harmful, enduring antisemitic stereotype featuring a prominent convex nose, used for centuries to demonize and caricature Jewish people. Originating in 13th-century European art, this stereotype was popularized to dehumanize Jews as outsiders and was later heavily used in Nazi propaganda."

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

"The "Jewish nose" or hooked-nose is a harmful, enduring antisemitic stereotype featuring a prominent convex nose, used for centuries to demonize and caricature Jewish people. Originating in 13th-century European art, this stereotype was popularized to dehumanize Jews as outsiders and was later heavily used in Nazi propaganda."

"the so-called "Jewish nose" has come to be effectively "reclaimed" by many Jews as a defining characteristic of their Jewish identity, with general Jewish attitudes toward the trait having changed from mostly negative to mostly positive since the 1950s."

Get with the times, old man. 🙂

No chance of peace in that area "thanks" to the USA support of Israel since 1947.

On 5/5/2026 at 4:46 AM, Nick Carter icp said:

"The "Jewish nose" or hooked-nose is a harmful, enduring antisemitic stereotype featuring a prominent convex nose, used for centuries to demonize and caricature Jewish people. Originating in 13th-century European art, this stereotype was popularized to dehumanize Jews as outsiders and was later heavily used in Nazi propaganda."

Only a big-nose farang would say that!

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

Where did your quote come from ?

I did webseach :

No results found for "the so-called "Jewish nose" has come to be effectively "reclaimed" by many Jews as a defining characteristic of their Jewish identity, with general Jewish attitudes toward the trait having changed from mostly negative to mostly positive since the 1950s.".

Did you make the quote up yourself ?

Got no horse in this race. Who cares?

Objection to Caricature: Many Jews view the "hook-nosed" image as an insult and a painful reminder of historical and ongoing persecution.

See, Nick, I think it would be terrible to go through life in fear of what others thought of you, so sensitive that something might have been intended to be insulting, the pain of history. Ongoing persecution? Tell me.

In my boyhood, it was a big insult to say, "Your muddah weahs Ahmy boots." There were even fistfights over such a grave insult.

But...we got over it, instead of being afraid the next Holocaust is right around the corner. Jews, however, don't seem to be able to let any of that go, to come to some resolution inside themselves, to stop living in the past.

I was going to say start living in the present. But today's Israel is a terrorist hellhole, from within and without.

Edited May 6May 6 by unblocktheplanet
add

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

You seem to have omitted a fact of monumental importance on this issue. During the night of March 1-2, 2026, Hezbollah fired rockets indiscriminately at the civilian population of northern Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had held for 16 months since 27th November 2024; causing casualties, and the evacuation of thousands of Israeli citizens.

The rockets were fired from south of the Litani river, under the noses of the UN security forces that were there specifically to ensure that Hezbollah remained north of the Litani river as per the cease fire agreement.

You seem happy that Hezbollah broke the ceasefire by firing hundreds of rockets at the civilian population of northern Israel, but traumatised because Israel responded, trying to do the job that the UN security forces, the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese army have all failed to do.

You have already told us that you are not antisemitic; however, you failed to tell us that you are also not anti-Hezbollah.

For no reason? Israel just attacked Iran without (direct) provocation and hookwinked Trump into joining.

The poor Lebanese, of any faith, caught in the middle between two monsters.

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

You seem to have omitted a fact of monumental importance on this issue. During the night of March 1-2, 2026, Hezbollah fired rockets indiscriminately at the civilian population of northern Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had held for 16 months since 27th November 2024; causing casualties, and the evacuation of thousands of Israeli citizens.

The rockets were fired from south of the Litani river, under the noses of the UN security forces that were there specifically to ensure that Hezbollah remained north of the Litani river as per the cease fire agreement.

You seem happy that Hezbollah broke the ceasefire by firing hundreds of rockets at the civilian population of northern Israel, but traumatised because Israel responded, trying to do the job that the UN security forces, the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese army have all failed to do.

You have already told us that you are not antisemitic; however, you failed to tell us that you are also not anti-Hezbollah.

Quite like the indiscriminate rockets Israel lobbed at Iran? To overcome the terrorists, we have to become the terrorists?!?

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

You seem to have omitted a fact of monumental importance on this issue. During the night of March 1-2, 2026, Hezbollah fired rockets indiscriminately at the civilian population of northern Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had held for 16 months since 27th November 2024; causing casualties, and the evacuation of thousands of Israeli citizens.

The rockets were fired from south of the Litani river, under the noses of the UN security forces that were there specifically to ensure that Hezbollah remained north of the Litani river as per the cease fire agreement.

You seem happy that Hezbollah broke the ceasefire by firing hundreds of rockets at the civilian population of northern Israel, but traumatised because Israel responded, trying to do the job that the UN security forces, the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese army have all failed to do.

You have already told us that you are not antisemitic; however, you failed to tell us that you are also not anti-Hezbollah.

Quite like the indiscriminate rockets Israel lobbed at Iran? To overcome the terrorists, we have to become the terrorists?!?

Just now, Packer said:

Learn to webseach better old fella. 🙂

Nick's right, Dude. (Hehe, sometimes!) I did a very thorough search using half a dozen variations. Nope, grouping of Jews are not celebrated the hooked-nose trope. However, many Jewish celebrities and ordinary people are owning their schnozz, e.g., Barbra Streisand.

Nick, is this like the N-word (not nose!), where it's okay for your friends to call it out but not outsiders. To be more clear, can Jews joke about the hook-nosed trope but non-Jews should not?

Just now, Packer said:

Learn to webseach better old fella. 🙂

Nick's right, Dude. (Hehe, sometimes!) I did a very thorough search using half a dozen variations. Nope, grouping of Jews are not celebrated the hooked-nose trope. However, many Jewish celebrities and ordinary people are owning their schnozz, e.g., Barbra Streisand.

Nick, is this like the N-word (not nose!), where it's okay for your friends to call it out but not outsiders. To be more clear, can Jews joke about the hook-nosed trope but non-Jews should not?

Bernie Sanders, well known for his pacifist and anti-Israel stance, suggests at length in the Senate, that the USA should stop sending ALL military aid to the Netanyahu Govt https://youtu.be/_kJDNa4Znqc

In the context of this thread, such a move would surely help reduce anti-Israel feelings AND the perceived rise of anti-semitism around the World.

Is there fault to find in his heartbreaking summary ? Does Sanders have any chance of being heard and getting effective action with this suggestion ?

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

"You have already told us that you are not antisemitic; however, you failed to tell us that you are also not anti-Hezbollah."

Hi Pilgrim, thanks for your replies. Yes I am definitely anti-Hezbollah, (and anti-Hamas).

"Are you Iranian by any chance ? " No I'm not.

Hamas' attacks on Israel Oct 7th 2023 and Hezbollah's attacks on March 1/2nd were beyond horror, as you rightly point out.

However, it's commonly said that an eye for an eye leads to us all being blind in the end.

Let me ask you, did you watch that Sanders speech, and if so, did you find any inaccuracies in what he says ?

All the killing and destruction is wrong. Also, all Parties have to be brought to acceptance of a two-State solution.

Anything else brings us all to blindness !

There's one Jew's view on what Israel has become. Can's say I disagree.

Just now, Packer said:

Learn to webseach better old fella. 🙂

Nick's right, Dude. (Hehe, sometimes!) I did a very thorough search using half a dozen variations. Nope, grouping of Jews are not celebrated the hooked-nose trope. However, many Jewish celebrities and ordinary people are owning their schnozz, e.g., Barbra Streisand.

Dunno what I've done but my reply to Pilgrim precedes his post. Sorry Guys. So I've repeated the reply here.

""Hi Pilgrim, thanks for your replies. Yes I am definitely anti-Hezbollah, (and anti-Hamas).

"Are you Iranian by any chance ? " No I'm not.

Hamas' attacks on Israel Oct 7th 2023 and Hezbollah's attacks on March 1/2nd were beyond horror, as you rightly point out.

However, it's commonly said that an eye for an eye leads to us all being blind in the end.

Let me ask you, did you watch that Sanders speech, and if so, did you find any inaccuracies in what he says ?

All the killing and destruction is wrong. Also, all Parties have to be brought to acceptance of a two-State solution.

Anything else brings us all to blindness ! ""

Most people, and especially the media, do not know the difference between "anti-semitic", "anti-Israel" and "anti-Zionist" - anti a religion, anti a country and anti a terrorist (or freedom fighter (depending on your perspective)) organisation.

On 5/3/2026 at 2:56 PM, TorquayFan said:

A million people in Lebanon have now been displaced, possibly permanently in recent weeks, (and the Israelis have even been demolishing some public buildings that survive the initial onslaughts).

You seem to have omitted a fact of monumental importance on this issue. During the night of March 1-2, 2026, Hezbollah fired rockets indiscriminately at the civilian population of northern Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had held for 16 months since 27th November 2024; causing casualties, and the evacuation of thousands of Israeli citizens.

The rockets were fired from south of the Litani river, under the noses of the UN security forces that were there specifically to ensure that Hezbollah remained north of the Litani river as per the cease fire agreement.

You seem happy that Hezbollah broke the ceasefire by firing hundreds of rockets at the civilian population of northern Israel, but traumatised because Israel responded, trying to do the job that the UN security forces, the Lebanese government, and the Lebanese army have all failed to do.

You have already told us that you are not antisemitic; however, you failed to tell us that you are also not anti-Hezbollah.

On 5/3/2026 at 2:56 PM, TorquayFan said:

I'm happy to say that I know no one at all that is anti-semitic one jot.

There are lots of posters on this forum that you should get to know, if you want to put that right.

On 5/5/2026 at 5:15 AM, Packer said:

"the so-called "Jewish nose" has come to be effectively "reclaimed" by many Jews as a defining characteristic of their Jewish identity, with general Jewish attitudes toward the trait having changed from mostly negative to mostly positive since the 1950s."

Get with the times, old man. 🙂

Where did your quote come from ?

I did webseach :

No results found for "the so-called "Jewish nose" has come to be effectively "reclaimed" by many Jews as a defining characteristic of their Jewish identity, with general Jewish attitudes toward the trait having changed from mostly negative to mostly positive since the 1950s.".

Did you make the quote up yourself ?

On 5/3/2026 at 2:56 PM, TorquayFan said:

Israel has for years now, been committing it's own great sins. Understandably, many people want to demonstrate about the murderous brutality and destruction that has been wreaked in Gaza, the West Bank and now the south of Lebanon

I know that you’re definitely not an antisemite because you have said so.

However, if you ever decide to become one, this phrase will achieve five star qualification for you; especially if you again fail to mention the most barbaric act of terrorism in modern history, that happened on 7th October 2023, and has been the catalyst for all subsequent events …

Are you Iranian by any chance ?

On 5/5/2026 at 5:15 AM, Packer said:

"the so-called "Jewish nose" has come to be effectively "reclaimed" by many Jews as a defining characteristic of their Jewish identity, with general Jewish attitudes toward the trait having changed from mostly negative to mostly positive since the 1950s."

Get with the times, old man. 🙂

Nick's right, Dude. (Hehe, sometimes!) I did a very thorough search using half a dozen variations. Nope, grouping of Jews are not celebrated the hooked-nose trope. However, many Jewish celebrities and ordinary people are owning their schnozz, e.g., Barbra Streisand.