The UK is facing a deepening crisis in how it handles anti-Zionist extremism and antisemitism. Despite a growing alarm amongst the Jewish community, and many words from elected representatives, there appears to be little action to stop violence and intimidation against Jews and against those who support Israel. It’s deeply troubling as ultimately it affects the health of Britain.

We have all seen the footage from the Elbit Systems raid from 2024. Angry and aggressive activists from Palestine Action storming a building, using a vehicle to break in. All of them seen illegally entering a building, before a number of them smash property, aggressively threaten and assault security guards and police officers. One police woman is seen being hit in the back with a sledgehammer, which injured her spine.

To large swathes of the general public, these actions by Palestine Action, appeared to be a clear cut case of breaking and entering, along with criminal damage and aggravated assault. The video below shows the alleged violent crimes.

The government seemed to think along these lines also. It was this incident, amongst others, that led to Palestine Action being outlawed as a terrorist group.

It came as quite a surprise to many when a jury could not decide to convict those whom were videoed committing what appeared to be blatant crimes.

We were equally shocked to see politicians, such as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and current Green Party leader Zack Polanski, seemingly praising the decision, and then seemingly justifying the actions of the activists. A move that prompted a letter from police chiefs condemning them.

It’s surprising that the same crowd who wrongly call Israel’s just war against Hamas a ‘genocide’ are now wrongly calling the actions of Palestine Action a form of ‘legitimate protest’.

We still maintain that hitting people with sledgehammers is not legitimate protest against Israel. Neither are driving vehicles into buildings, and causing damage to private property, and threatening people who work in the building. And none of these should be condoned or encouraged by politicians.

To many observers, the jury verdict, or lack of it, leaves a strong sense of injustice.

Elbit Systems may be an Israeli-linked military technology firm, but the protests don’t end with Elbit. Just as attacks against Israel’s military don’t end there. We have seen too many innocent Israeli civilians killed by those who claim to only be against Israel’s military. Likewise, we have seen too many Jewish victims of antisemitism from those who claim to only be “anti-Zionist”.

A watershed moment for Jewish safety in Britain

There has been a growing sense of Jews being less safe in Britain over many years. This is backed up by statistics showing Jews are the most targeted group for hate crimes and antisemitism is rising year on year.

While there has been criticism because of a seeming lack of action by the police in the past, there was a feeling that the court system was strong enough to protect Jews as long as police enforced the law.

However, as Stephen Pollard wrote in the Telegraph this week:

“This case is different. The police acted. The CPS prosecuted. And what happened? A jury of ordinary Britons – the supposed bedrock of decency – decided to acquit the defendants.

“That decision, I believe, may come to be seen as the single most significant case in the history of Anglo-Jewry since 1945. It shows that the game is up. We can no longer rely on the criminal justice system. And when the law is no longer there to protect us, who or what will?”

He continues with some very strong points:

“To cut a long story short, the message of the case is this: you can smash the spine of a police officer and so long as you are doing it because of “Palestine”, you can walk home free.

“How do I tell my children that they are safe when they walk the streets? If a Free Palestine protester decides to assault them because they look Jewish and so must be complicit in genocide – to use the blood libel de nos jours – will a jury decide the protestors were, indeed, protesting? So it seems.”

A growing public perception of injustice

Today, Jews and Israelis are less safe in Britain. There is little debate about this.

In Britain we have seen:

  • A knifeman can run into a kosher shop and attack Jews and avoid prison.
  • Members of an outlawed terrorist group can break into a business, destroy property, and smash a police officers spine and no action is taken.
  • Islamists can drive around Jewish neighbourhoods of London screaming, “F*** the Jews, rape their daughters” and they face no consequences.
  • Hate preachers in mosques spreading antisemitic blood libels against Jews, or calling for the destruction of their homes, and again, nothing.
  • Thousands of people marching in the streets and protesting against Israelis, using antisemitic language and support for terror groups. And still, very little is done to stop this, according to a government watchdog.

There is a growing perception from the British public that there is one rule for Palestinian activists and radical left activists compared to everyone else. We are seeing people being locked up for tweets, while violent assaults are not being punished.

Palestinian Exceptionalism

Palestinian exceptionalism is nothing new. The Palestinians are often singled out for favoured treatment over others. Through propaganda that paints them as the world’s most needy refugees and the world’s most abused victims, the reality is quite different.

For example, the Palestinians receive more aid per person than any other people group. The UN has given them their own refugee agency (UNRWA), whereas all other refugees are lumped together (UNHCR). Likewise, Palestinians are the only people group who can transfer their refugee status to their children. Meaning that a multi-millionaire US citizen can still be classed as a “Palestinian refugee”. When they are not a refugee at all.

Likewise, while most countries treat rogue states and terror funders with disdain, the Palestinians enjoy massive political favour.

Mahmoud Abbas can travel anywhere in the world and say any blood libel he likes, and still be invited back and given the red carpet treatment again the next year.

It seems now we are seeing Palestinian exceptionalism throughout the UK. In politics, the Palestinians can do no wrong. When Palestinian activists cause criminal damage, nothing happens. Antisemitic hatred is criminalised, but if it’s said while on a ‘March for Palestine’, then you get a free pass.

The Palestinian cause has become an effective cover to whitewash crimes and avoid consequences. And the UK is being hoodwinked by it.

This is a spiritual battle for the soul of Britain

As we often say here at CUFI, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12).

This is a spiritual battle that the entire world is wrestling with as the Bible says all nations will turn against Israel.

“On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” – Zechariah 12:3

The UK government has already rejected God. It’s tried to ‘move’ Jerusalem by dividing it when it recognised a Palestinian state with ‘East Jerusalem’ as its capital. As a result, the UK has injured itself.

We are seeing a growing fear amongst Jews in Britain. God said that He will bless those who bless the Jewish people, and curse those who curse the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3). Are we now witnessing first-hand what happens when a nation curses the Jews?

At CUFI UK, we are deeply troubled by the trajectory of our nation. Our beliefs are under threat from radical forces that the government is both unable and unwilling to contend with. Likewise, our Jewish friends are becoming more and more vulnerable.

The only solution for Britain is for the Church to arise and to speak the truth of the Bible. This is a spiritual battle we are in. And because of Christian silence, we are losing the fight for the soul of Britain.

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Email
Print
More