Calling for a ceasefire is not antisemitic

I HAVE not seen many letters in local papers on the subject of Gaza calling for a ceasefire. Perhaps I missed all of them but it occurred to me that one reason for such a deafening silence is that people are afraid of being accused of being antisemitic, or in other words Nazi, racist or even unpatriotic.

Not many of us who have experienced what it was like to live through WW2 and its aftermath are still alive and different national newspapers are selective in what they choose to report. Empathy with civilians being systematically bombed often stems from personal experience of war and children have long memories. Palestinian children, especially those displaced from their villages to Gaza back in 1948, have lived through war after war since then and now they have nothing.

After many years of friendship with Israelis and Palestinians, Christians Jews and Muslims and a deep personal love for the Holy Land, I believe that it is definitely not antisemitic to criticise any government that appears hell bent on wiping out a people in the name of self defence. I ask the question, how on earth can it be antisemitic to disagree with the ultra harsh methods employed by the present Israeli government in its response to the dreadful violence inflicted by Hamas on the 7th October?

Many Jewish people both inside Israel and here in UK are similarly outraged over the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. There are

Jewish participants in every one of the marches that have been held in London recently who say they have experienced nothing but appreciation from the other participants.

Is it antisemitic to care about fellow human beings who have been subjected to continual bombardment for six months? Over 30,000 souls are dead already, uncounted dead lie under rubble, thousands have been maimed and scarred for life. How will carpet bombing the area improve the situation for all remaining hostages, address the violence in the West Bank or eradicate Hamas?

With infrastructure, farming land, hospitals universities and mosques and churches destroyed and homes flattened it is surely wicked for anyone in our country to watch and say nothing.

I hope many will continue to protest in whatever non-violent way open to them, regardless of name calling. Free speech is a value worth respecting and to stay silent signifies agreement.