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A Jewish family living in Bristol, England, plans to leave the city after facing escalating antisemitism in the ongoing aftermath of the October 7th massacre.
In comments to The Sunday Times last week, the family described a sharp change in their neighborhood’s atmosphere. Once neighbors learned the family was Jewish, conversations shifted quickly toward Israel. In one encounter, a neighbor confronted them directly: “Well, you’re not Zionists, are you?”
Living Under Constant Political Scrutiny
The family said Jewish identity in the area now came with an expectation to reject Israel publicly. The father explained that the conflict no longer appeared only in news coverage. Instead, it intruded into daily routines and social spaces.
“The small Jewish community is being ostracized in an organized way,” he said. “It is being done by those on the Left, and polite society isn’t doing enough.”
“People are regularly testing you,” he noted. “There are very few spaces where you are not getting it in your face with the Gaza conflict. We are not Israelis, but it’s pumped into our lives like it’s happening [here].”
Even moderate views now trigger backlash. “We believe in a two-state solution, but the only way you can navigate this neighborhood is to say you believe in the destruction of Israel,” he added. “People lose their minds if they suspect you have any sympathy for Israel’s right to exist.”
School Cancellation Raises Alarm
Concerns deepened recently after a nearby school canceled a scheduled visit by a Jewish member of the UK Parliament. Anti-Israel activists pressured school officials to reverse the invitation.
Attention then turned to the school’s head of diversity, Saima Akhtar. She had posted public comments praising the October 7th attackers as “heroes fighting for justice.” She also urged readers to dismiss reporting that portrayed Israel as a victim.
Akhtar published those remarks online on October 8, 2023. After learning about them, the family questioned whether the school could provide a safe environment for their child.
Soon afterward, the family began searching for a new home outside the area. They said they wanted a neighborhood less defined by political hostility.
Children Affected by the Hostile Environment
The father, who works for a local charity, said activism tied to the Gaza war has become impossible to avoid. On walks to school, the family passed graffiti showing bloody handprints and genocide accusations. Political slogans also appeared near playgrounds and school entrances.
The impact on children caused deeper concern. Another student confronted the family’s child about Gaza at school. The incident left the child in tears.
Organized Activism and Public Pressure
Organized campaigns have reinforced the hostile climate, the family said. A local union secretary linked to the school celebrated her role in canceling the MP’s visit. She also posted online about blocking a conference speaker connected to Check Point Software Technologies. “We are not here to play,” she wrote.
Bristol has also become a flashpoint for anti-Israel activism. The city hosts a UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems. Protesters have repeatedly vandalized sites connected to the company. Groups such as Palestine Action have claimed responsibility.
A Warning Sign Beyond One City
For the family, leaving Bristol now feels unavoidable. What began as discomfort has turned into sustained exclusion. Jewish belonging, they said, now depends on ideological compliance.
Their experience reflects a broader trend across Western societies, where antisemitism increasingly hides behind political activism. As a result, Jewish families face an impossible choice: stay silent, conform, or leave.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
