Mitchell Cohen

You may not agree with me, but you will always know where you stand with me. Today in Billericay, a heckler tried to shout me down as I spoke about the normalisation of hatred towards Jews. I did not back down, because it needs to be said. British Jews are being targeted and too many people are pretending this is the same experience of other minorities. This lady implied Muslims are being similarly targeted. This is simply not true. Let's be honest about what is happening. Certain groups (in particular but not solely Islamic Extremists) are creating a climate of fear and intimidation that is normalising Jew hatred. I will never stand for that. Governments have spent too long hand-wringing, making excuses and hoping it would go away. It is time to call this what it is: a national emergency in our attitude, our urgency and our response. I will always engage with people who disagree with me. That is politics. But there is a difference between argument and intimidation. Shouting does not make a bad case good. It's done to silence others. And it certainly does not change the truth. The truth is that British Jews have been made to feel less safe in their own country. Our country. They are being singled out, threatened and harassed in ways that should shame everyone in public life. If we do not stand up now and stop this rise in antisemitism, then why bother saying "Never Again" at Holocaust Memorial Day? Because this is how it starts. I am not prepared to play along with the pretence that this is normal, or manageable, or just another example of tension between groups. It really is not. It is targeted hatred and it is getting worse. So my message is simple. Not here. Not in Britain. And not on our watch. We need to stop the hand-wringing and start doing the right thing. That means standing with British Jews openly, unapologetically and without fear.

On @BBCr4Today, the Chief Rabbi made a direct appeal to the country. "The silent majority of the UK is with us," he said. "They're with the Jewish community… But the time has now come for the silent majority to raise its voice." He was clear about what is and isn't enough. Letters of support, he said, arrive in abundance. What is needed now is "an outright public condemnation." And he asked the question that hangs over this moment: "If this was happening to any other minority in the UK right now, I presume there would be a very different response from the nation and from the government. Why is it different for the Jewish people?" He is right. Jewish life in Britain is facing a level of threat not seen for generations. Going to synagogue, walking children to a Jewish school, wearing a kippah, shopping in a kosher store - ordinary acts that increasingly feel like acts of defiance. In the past five weeks, four Hatzola ambulances have been firebombed, synagogues attacked and two Jewish men stabbed on the sreet. The terror threat has been raised to severe. Some have spoken. HM The King, politicians from across the parties, faith leaders and others have rightly condemned these attacks. But the response the Chief Rabbi is asking for - and that this moment demands - must be broader than that. Prominent Muslim leaders and organisations - the imams, mosque federations - must speak out clearly and publicly against this hatred. The unions and the vice-chancellors of our universities, given what Jewish students are now living through on our campuses, must raise their voices. Our football authorities, cultural institutions, bishops and anti-racism charities must join in condemning these attacks. Too many have said nothing. That silence is being heard, in every Jewish home in this country. The Chief Rabbi has spoken for British Jews. The rest of us must answer him - clearly, publicly, and now.

We didn't he say this before?

I agree with @chiefrabbi: “words of condemnation are no longer sufficient." Yesterday's attack in Golders Green, and the escalating attacks of recent months, have shown, beyond doubt, that we must do more to protect our Jewish community. Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain. In the first instance we must now see better policing of marches which have created a dangerous atmosphere of intimidation and violence.

@Peston who books your guests for this show? Completely misjudged!

We'll get the usual statements of condemnation after Golders Green. But the simple truth is that for years we've had weekly marches through central London in which anti-Semitism has openly flourished. And the Government had stood back and done nothing.

This is honestly horrifying - for those that question why British Jews are concerned.

This must be a pretty short article - haven’t seen any tactics all season.

The decision to attack Iran, kill its Supreme Leader and introduce regime change is one of the most significant strategic geopolitical moments of the past century. It dwarfs the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. For the British government to not even be able to express an opinion on unfolding events is an abdication of the most basic responsibility that comes with national governance.

President Herzog removes his hostage pin.

It's hard to overstate the enormity of the return of Ran Gvili, z"l, for Israelis. A 12-year-old Israeli child has never known a reality in which people who share his nationality aren't held hostage in Gaza just because of who they are. This is closure for the Gvili family, and for the entire people standing behind them. May Israel’s children grow up in the world Ran fought for: one in which they are safe 🇮🇱

משפחת משרד החוץ מרכינה את ראשה עם היוודע הידיעה המרה בדבר פטירתו בטרם עת של השגריר איתן נאה. איתן נאה הצטרף לשירות החוץ בשנת 1991 וכיהן בשורה ארוכה של תפקידים בולטים. בין היתר, איתן כיהן כשגריר ישראל באזרבייג׳אן; כשגריר ישראל בטורקיה לאחר השדרוג-מחדש של דרג היחסים בין המדינות בשנת 2016; שימש כממונה הראשון על שגרירות ישראל באבו דאבי אחרי חתימת הסכמי אברהם וסייע רבות להקמת השגרירות במדינה; וכיהן כשגרירה הראשון של ישראל בבחריין. מעבר לכישוריו הדיפלומטים יוצאי הדופן וליכולתו לבנות גשרים בכל מדינה בה שירת, איתן התבלט במסירותו הרבה לעבודת שירות החוץ. איתן היה ״שחקן נשמה״, ובכל תפקיד אותו מילא בלט ליבו הגדול אותו פתח לכל אדם במשרד ולכל מי שעבד עימו. איתן יחסר רבות לנו במשרד החוץ ולמדינת ישראל. משפחת משרד החוץ מחבקת ושולחת תנחומים לשריל ולילדיו מאיה ואיתי. (צילום: משרד החוץ)

Thomas Frank is the opposite of what a Tottenham manager is meant to be, and is one of the worst managers we’ve had. The fact that the board see him as worth backing shows how out of touch with the club they all are. Sack them all.

“We can’t turn off our menorahs!” This interview made me cry. 😢 Every Jewish person needs to watch this.

TWO YEARS TOO LATE: Police say “Globalize the Intifada” chants will finally be banned in London and Manchester. Instead of waiting 2 years for the chant to spark real world violence, maybe they should have just listened to British Jews 🤷‍♂️

A Jewish woman who is the daughter of someone shot at the Bondi Beach massacre is asked by Australian news reporters how the Jewish community is feeling. Her answer? "Is this what you wanted?" After years of Australian Jews being targeted and attacked, of synagogues being burned, of nurses saying they'd kill Jewish patients, of college students throwing around Heil Hitler salutes, of Jewish daycares and schools being vandalized; is it finally enough? Will the Australian people finally listen when their Jews say there is a problem?

President Reagan once reflected on the resilience of the Jewish people, saying: “No people have fought longer, struggled harder or sacrificed more in order to survive, to grow and to live in freedom.” On this first night of Hanukkah, we mourn with those grieving after today’s horrific, antisemitic attack in Bondi Beach and extend our heartfelt condolences. Over the next 8 days, families and loved ones around the world will gather to light the menorah, an enduring symbol of the triumph of good over evil. To all who celebrate, we wish you a peaceful and hopeful Hanukkah.

A message from The King to the people of Australia following the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

People will try to stop us, but we will always bring light to darkness. Lighting our candles in memory of those who were murdered celebrating Chanukah in Sydney.

This was the Chabad Chanukah party just before the massacre. Look at how many children were there. Entire families were enjoying sufganiot, eating, dancing, and celebrating together. And they were murdered for celebrating Chanukah. For being Jewish.