13 Comments
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HP's avatar

After the 7 October attacks, Muslim parents watching the protests in London and Manchester told me the same story. They saw acts of intimidation and symbols of aggression and division they would never tolerate at home being openly displayed on the streets.

There is no mention of those parents chastising their children for doing in the streets what would never be tolerated at home. They need to go to the mosque of the Imam on your flight.

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Tom Osborne's avatar

Excellent piece, Tom. If only the government of the day would listen and take note.

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Aaron Rubin's avatar

Why would the police and London protect Jewish citizens and moderate Muslims? They abandoned young poor white girls to the rapists and sadists of the Pakistani grooming gangs decades ago

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Russell-Dad Whiting's avatar

"Those who tolerate hate are destined to reap its harvest."

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Paul's avatar

I am ashamed of what the police have become. I was one.

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Stephen Turner's avatar

Brilliantly said.

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Daniel Clarke-Serret's avatar

Excellent Tom.

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Benji Moncrief's avatar

Thanks Tom, a thoughtful post and the example of the imam you travelled to Afghanistan was powerful.

The only thing I'd take issue with is your argument that banning Maccabi fans is a surrender to the mob. As many reports have noted, last year in Amsterdam some Maccabi supporters chanted racist anti-Islamic slogans, burned a Palestinian flag and attacked a taxi. Their recent derby was suspended after some supporters rioted and attacked police.

The evidence suggests that some of these supporters could very likely conduct the type of marches you criticise in the article; they were not banned (solely) because of the threat of local protests, but in part because of their history of inflammatory race-related violence. I'd argue that banning them was not a surrender to local threats, but actually the opposite - a reaction to suggestions of antisemitism and a selective representation of the facts. The type of behaviour you criticise in the article, in fact.

Regardless, your post made me pause, think and engage - so thank you.

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Wendy Wright's avatar

You are the voice of reason in a sea of ignorance. Please never give up fighting for true democracy 🙏🙏🙏

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Nathan's avatar

You can't allow the mob to decide your laws; that's the job of MI5-blackmailed paedophiles.

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John Gallacher's avatar

Just so beautifully written your summation of the UK today struggling post Brexit for a footing with inexperienced politicians trying to govern with reason.

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Abh's avatar

The star of David is the 21st century swastika. Hamas has millions of supporters worldwide. Once the boomers and gen x die, "israel" is done

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