Post

If Miliband's comparatively mild, caveated, and strictly targeted criticism of Israeli settler actions are enough to endanger the UK Jewish community & unleash pogroms then: a) We've passed some point of no return. b) Successive UK governments have utterly failed in addressing antisemitism.

Adam Squires

@adsquires.bsky.social

9 Sept

I'd be interested to hear any even vaguely coherent theory of causation where the UK govt opposing the settler movement puts UK Jews at risk, but the message from Mirvis that antisemites can take to say that UK Jews *support* the settler movement against the UK govt*, doesn't. *which they don't btw

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Adam Squires@adsquires.bsky.social

Fwiw I will be going to synagogue for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. At one of the shuls targeted in the recent arson attacks. As it's my first time, for security, I had to register in advance and provide my previous shul for them to check. I think Mervis's comments were completely inappropriate.

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Dmitry Grozoubinski

@explaintrade.com

I think the best faith interpretation of his argument (not mine!) goes something like: 1) There are people looking for an excuse to be anti-semitic 2) Israel being accused of doing bad things provides that excuse 3) This is the UK government officially joining that accusation 4) This emboldens (1)

9/9/26, 10:53 am0 reposts5 likes

Adam Squires

@adsquires.bsky.social

9 Sept

Yes, agree that that's the best faith interpretation (good effort!) Of course there are a number of flaws in that (which obviously you know...) Like, pre-supposing that it was harder for antisemites to criticise the actions of the Israeli govt or settler movement before UK govt announcement...

Adam Squires

@adsquires.bsky.social

9 Sept

Vs the fact that Israeli govt, and settler, actions are widely unpopular for good reason, and antisemites use UK govt inaction as evidence of (right wing) Zionist influence. With Mirvis' statement making half of their argument for them.

Adam Squires

@adsquires.bsky.social

9 Sept

If the UK govt were to do a U turn on settlement boycotts through pressure seen as "to satisfy the UK Jewish community" this would be gifting the worst antisemites their best argument on a plate.