“What’s All This Anti-Semitism I Keep Hearing About??”

I grew up in a small village in South Wales, and although my family was the only Jewish family there, I never, ever encountered any anti-Semitism. School friends were much more interested in learning about my religion than being antagonistic towards it.

When I came to London and became a comedian, the fact that I was the only Jewish and Welsh comedian on the circuit was met with laughter (in a good way) and not contempt.

Over the years I have made many friends in the comedy world. Although we may have disagreed over things – mainly about who took the last beer from the fridge in the Dressing Room or which comedians do or do not deserve to be on Live at the Apollo– we never really argued about politics or religion. Until now.

It was subtle at first, little comments and asides, but over the past few months it has become progressively, or regressively, worse.

Of course, much of it is my own doing. You see I have, publicly, been airing my concerns about the horrific rise of anti-Semitism around the world and how it seems to have become more prevalent in the UK since Jeremy Corbyn became leader. So, I have therefore clearly opened myself up for the abuse I have received. Being called a “Filthy Tory” (never voted for them) or “Zio scum” (never really talked about Israel) or “Typical Jew” (perhaps) by comedian friends whom I have known for over 20 years is what I deserve for questioning anything. I have been sent vile personal messages on social media, been ‘blocked’ by people and stopped being booked by many clubs. But, as I said, it’s my own fault. Had I kept quiet about it as some other Jewish comedians have, then perhaps this wouldn’t have happened. After all, keeping quiet in the past hasn’t had bad consequences, right?

I was recently asked in an interview if I thought Jeremy Corbyn was himself anti-Semitic. I explained that I didn’t think he was but only he knows the answer, in the same way that only he, and perhaps his orthopaedist, knows whether or not he really doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.But I do believe he hasn’t done enough to curb its rise in the Labour party.

Like many Jewish lifelong Labour voters, I now feel lost. Whilst I agree with many of the policies in the Labour manifesto, I cannot bring myself to vote for a party that hasn’t done enough to quell the rise of Jew hatred. And the fact that the support has become so tribalistic is concerning. It’s almost like a devoted football fan; “Yes my team might have made a couple of mistakes and scored some own goals, but I will always support them and think that all supporters of other teams are scum”. When did this happen? And when did football-style chanting become a thing in politics? When did the whole Politician Fanbase start? I have no memory of people in the 80’s wearing a “I Heart Neil Kinnock T-Shirt” or singing “Oh… Micha…el Fo…ot”.

And then there’s the hypocrisy. Here’s an example of a recent conversation:

Labour Friend: “I know you don’t like Corbyn but you are voting for the party not the leader”

Me: “I understand that, but I’ve decided to vote Lib Dem”

Labour Friend: “What?!?!? But Jo Swinson is basically a Tory!!”

Me: “But …you just said…..”

Then there’s the ‘whataboutery’ when I get asked “Well what about Islamophobia in the Tory party?!” As if two wrongs will suddenly make everything right. Islamophobia should be dealt with as much as Anti-Semitism and any other form of racism or bigotry. Acknowledging anti-Semitism does not mean you are ignoring everything else!

At a recent gig I asked if any of the audience members were Welsh. A few put their up their hands and we chatted about Wales (it was funny – you had to be there) I then asked if any audience members were Jewish. No hands were raised. After the gig, three separate people quietly approached me and told me that they were Jewish but did not want to admit to it in a public space. This is where we are now. One of these people actually told me that they recently had to leave their home in the South West – where they had lived their whole life – as they were petrified by the rise of anti Semitism in the area.

But, when I speak about any of this on social media, I am told that it’s all lies and smears (which will no doubt also be the reaction to this article) or, as has happened on several occasions, I have friends sending me private messages or texts with: “What’s All This Anti-Semitism I Keep Hearing About?? Can you send me some proof? Thanks xx”

Oh and to those who respond with: “Yeah, but what about Israel?” I’m afraid it doesn’t work as a justification, it would be the same as blaming all British people for the actions of the UK Government. And saying that Israel is the cause of anti-Semitism doesn’t work either as anti-Semitism was around way before Israel existed.

So what happens next? If Labour wins then, as with Brexit, I’m worried that many will see this as an excuse to be even more vocal, so anti-Semitism will increase. If Labour lose, many will no doubt blame the Jews for the ‘smear campaign’ so anti-Semitism will increase.

I really hope I’m wrong about all this. I’m just really worried that I’m not.


https://bennettarron.wordpress.com/2019/11/27/whats-all-this-anti-semitism-i-keep-hearing-about/