Last week, my cousin, a liberal rabbi who favours withdrawal from the occupied territories, told me he fears for his safety following a number of verbal and physical attacks on the Jewish community. For the first time, he has asked for police protection after a number of incidents around the UK, from poet Tom Paulin's claim that Jews in the West Bank should be shot to the 150 per cent rise in violent attacks on Jews in the past two months.

The World Jewish Congress has claimed that since the 11 September attacks, 'anti-Semitic statements or publications, disseminated worldwide ... had closely tied hostility towards Israel and towards Jews, largely erasing any distinction between the two'.

This blurring of divisions between the Jewish community and the Israeli state has even surfaced on Indymedia UK, where some have advocated demonstrating outside synagogues and Jewish cultural centres in an obvious attempt to intimidate and stigmatise the Jewish community. While most rejected this course of action, it does seem anti-Jewish prejudices are on the rise, particularly with the violent overthrow of the Palestinian National Authority by the Israeli military.

The following article is taken from the UK-based Jewish Chronicle, which shows the wave of concern among Jews is leading to increased protection. My question is: Are justified objections to Israeli militarism leading to a toleration of anti-semitism? Or are Jews themselves guilty of conflating the two, when no link exists?

Extra police guarding UK synagogues and schools
Bernard Josephs
THE THREAT of anti-Israel protests has prompted plans for an increased police presence at Jewish and Israeli institutions in Britain in advance of Yom Ha’atzmaut — Israel Independence Day — events next week.

Community Security Trust leaders have been in discussion with top Scotland Yard officers and the Home Office over the issue. CST volunteers will work alongside police in monitoring activity around synagogues, Jewish schools and at Independence Day celebrations.

A CST spokesperson told the JC: “We are anxious to prevent attacks on Jews in Europe from spilling over to the streets of Britain. Because of the Middle East situation, and given incidents in Belgium and France, we are asking people to increase their vigilance.”

Israeli Ambassador Zvi Shtauber added his own warning during a private briefing for communal leaders. Forecasting a “difficult period ahead of us,” he suggested that the conflict with the Palestinians was likely to result in a rise in anti-Semitism in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.

Yet despite security concerns — and announced plans for demonstrations by pro-Palestinian groups — organisers of the community’s main Yom Ha’atzmaut event, at Wembley Conference Centre on Wednesday, said this week they anticipated a large turnout.

Zionist Federation director Alan Aziz said more than 3,000 tickets had been sold, and that the final figure could top last year’s 5,000 visitors.

“This is an event which gives the community a chance to stand up for Israel,” he asserted.

The programme will begin with a solidarity rally presided over by Dr Shtauber, incorporating a video link-up with Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon. A British government minister is expected to attend.

In Israel, Kfar Saba and Ra’anana, the two cities closest to the West Bank town of Qalqilya, have cancelled their Independence Day events. The decision came after Israel pulled back its forces from Qalqilya this week ahead of the arrival of US Secretary of State Colin Powell.