This must never be forgotten; even by those who support the terrorist movement Hamas, or by all those who continue to attack Israel.
Yesterday was the UK's Holocaust Memorial Day, and amazingly on the eve of this important day, two Jewish shop-owners were randomly attacked in London's Stamford Hill. This vile anti-Semitism continues.
It continues on our streets, in Football clubs, and in political parties. It is something that I have never understood, nor wish to. To attack, or kill, people simply because of their religion is a heinous crime.
An 18 year old, Malaki Thorpe, has been arrested, and charged with the assault.
I can't imagine it ever being forgotten. The problem is that certain people think it should be tolerated and encouraged.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately 'Hate Crime' also envelopes wolf-whistling or calling someone 'He' when the person would rather be called 'She'. It rather weakens the seriousness.
DeleteI suppose it is a survey among adults but that wasn't made clear. Twenty five per cent of Australians don't know about the Holocaust., a disturbing figure, although maybe influenced by our high immigrant population from non English speaking countries.
ReplyDeleteHate crimes are simply that and should not be tolerated at all. Punishments need to more severe.
It is quite worrying how many people either know nothing about the atrocities, or refuse to believe them. It should be taught at school; everywhere.
DeleteI just barely caught the news of this terrible North London attack before turning off the tv last night.
ReplyDeleteAnd for once the main stream media, in their usual manner, were unable to conceal the ethnicity of the perpetrator thanks to the close by CCTV.
What was even the purpose of the attack? Perhaps because the two defenceless victims looked different. I imagine that this thug who will be up in Court today, wasn't even aware of the Holocaust, nor even the Anniversary.
Londoners woke up this morning feeling just a little more hurt today.It makes me feel lucky that I live in a pocket of calm and serenity in this safe part of North London, although it might have something to do with the house prices here.
There will always be a section of society who are envious of others. The Stamford Hill area has a reputation of being the home to hard-working and financially successful Jewish families, and sadly attracts the attention of racist losers.
DeleteThat photo you posted above has left me feeling particularly disturbed this morning. Horrific.
ReplyDeleteAs nasty as it is, it's good to remind ourselves of the barbarity that took place.
DeleteThorpe's attack was both sickening and cowardly. He must be very stupid - failing to realise that the incident was being captured on CCTV. I hope the law comes down on that toerag like a ton of bricks.
ReplyDeleteI visited Sachsenhausen concentration camp a few years ago. It reminded me that trade unionists, communists, gipsies, the disabled and homosexuals were also victims of Nazi extermination processes. Let us remember them too.
There were lots of people they didn't like, and I suppose it's the same today. Some pick black people, others pick the Jews, and some pick gays. They're all as deranged as each other.
DeleteWe must remember the six and a half million Jews...but also the four million others...and those who died and suffered at the hands of other fascist regimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd those who still do....
It doesn't stop. Humans are not all nice.
DeleteCould we also remember those thousands who were killed in Thailand on the so called Death Railway. My first husband - as a young boy soldier (possibly the youngest serving soldier) was there but thankfully survived. But many weren't so lucky and have largely been forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese were possibly the most ruthless and blood-thirsty of WW2 regimes. Some of what they got up to is hardly believable.
DeleteAnd Stalin in Russia who murdered many more than Hitler and yet is somehow glossed over as being 'alright' and forgotten about. When he travelled through Russia by train he had the curtains shut so that his own family could not see the famine and the dead as they passed through Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteMy late Father in Law had to deal with 'Uncle Joe'. He was an extremely nasty and difficult character.
DeleteWhat Stalin got up to is also hardly believable. Many 1000s murdered in cold blood as well as starved. All enemies were eliminated.
DeleteGlobal terrorism remains a threat. Just a few weeks ago a Texas synagogue saw a hostage crisis and 4 people were held. The Rabbi managed to divert the terrorist. Arrests are made in the US and UK. Today, police are stationed outside the synagogue.
ReplyDeleteAre they told that they have to hate Jewish people, or do they make-up their own minds?
DeleteGeneral Eisenhower toured the Ohrdruf concentration making the statement that he wanted to insure that the atrocities of these camps could never be denied or called propaganda. He appealed to the world press to take photographs and to publicize them for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet...
I cannot understand why the 'deniers' are given any publicity whatsoever. They are disgusting people, and an insult to the lives of so many, living and dead.
DeleteInterestingly enough, as I understand it, its illegal in Germany to deny the holocaust?
DeleteI tell you true, it was a huge shock to me to hear white supremacists marching in Charlottesville chanting, "Jews will not replace us!"
The fact that the president of the United States did not condemn those words was even more so.
For us it is still an open wound.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even Jewish, but every time I see that photo I feel very angry, and disappointed with humanity.
DeleteI have never understood this either and never will. I know some Jewish people, have worked with them in factories, they are very nice people, very accepting of others, no matter who or what religion they are.
ReplyDeleteI have known many Jewish people over the decades; one or two very famous ones. To me they have always been hard working, inventive, creative, and as a result, successful. When one looks at the difference between Israel and Gaza, it makes it all more obvious.
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