'Jew hunters' wanting to boycott Israeli products foiled by protesters
Activists accused of engaging in a 'Jew hunt' as they planned to go door-to-door asking locals to boycott Israeli products were stopped after counter-protesters forced them to hide in a pub. Members the Bristol Apartheid-Free Zone (AFZ) campaign had planned a door-knock encouraging people to boycott Israeli businesses amid the country's ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.But more than a dozen activists turned up outside of Sainsbury's at the pre-planned event and accused the group of engaging in a 'Jew hunt'.And chants of 'Palestine will be free', 'Israel is a terror state' and 'occupation no more' were met with shouts of 'stop the Jew hunt'.Footage taken at the scene appears to show the two groups clashing while chanting and holding flags, with a police presence in the area. The AFZ campaigners ended up in a pub, while activists shouted 'Jew hunt' and 'Nazis' outside.The canvassers stopped their planned door knocks to avoid confrontation as well as shouting outside people's homes.Holding a placard, Susan, who did not want to show her face or share her surname, told the Daily Mail she was terrified of 'Jew hunts'. Members the Bristol Apartheid-Free Zone (AFZ) campaign had planned a door-knock encouraging people to boycott Israeli businesses amid the country's ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza Critics say that groups like these may actually encourage antisemitism - or leave Jewish people frightened if they are confronted on their own doorsteps More than a dozen activists turned up outside of Sainsbury's at the pre-planned event and accused the group of engaging in a 'Jew hunt'She said: 'I am the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a concerned citizen. I am very worried about Left-wing and Islamic organisations dedicated to Jew hunts.'I feel a duty to be here so that haters know people don't have the support of the general public.'As a child of a Holocaust survivor, I grew up hearing these stories with people saying exactly the same thing.'This chills me to the bone. I'm standing here for my children, who are going to be here for much longer than I am.'The AFZ activists say they are advocating for a boycott of Israeli products because Israel 'thrives on international support'.But critics say that groups like these may actually encourage antisemitism - or leave Jewish people frightened if they are confronted on their own doorsteps.Resident Sally Campbell, whose mother was a Jewish refugee, was passing by when she saw the protest outside Sainsbury's supermarket.She said: 'I wouldn't want someone knocking on my door. I think it's intimidating and I can choose what and where I buy from.'Mark Birbeck, founder of 'Our Fight' - a group said to be reclaiming Bristol's streets from the targeted harassment of Jews – told the Daily Mail the door knocks were a 'purity test'. Mark Birbeck, founder of 'Our Fight' - a group said to be reclaiming Bristol's streets from the targeted harassment of Jews – told the Daily Mail the door knocks were a 'purity test' Pro-Israel protester outside of the Golden Lion pub in Horfield Bristol The AFZ activists say they are advocating for a boycott of Israeli products because Israel 'thrives on international support' Chants of 'Palestine will be free', ' Israel is a terror state' and 'occupation no more' were met with shouts of 'stop the Jew hunt' Police standing outside of the Golden Lion pub in Horfield Bristol, where pro-Palestinian protesters had gatheredHe said: 'People are organising activities where they knock on doors of local residents and ask people where they stand on Israel and Gaza. This is not just collecting information about where people stand, it's a purity test.'We didn't oppose marches in London. We're not against freedom of speech but we think this is harassment.'He said the attacks in Bondi Beach and Manchester showed the rise of antisemitism and that he himself had been spat on and punched.Alison Wren, 79, a retired science teacher, is not Jewish but wanted to speak out against harassment of the Jewish community in Bristol.She said: 'It's just ridiculous, knocking on people's doors and writing down whether they agree to boycott Israel.'The group says it is expressing solidarity with Palestinians who have been killed and displaced in Gaza, taking inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement that targeted South Africa in the latter half of the 20th century.The Daily Mail spoke to pro-Palestine supporters, who said they were not antisemitic but simply against genocide in Gaza.Law student Leo Hill, who made it clear he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of AFZ, said: 'It's not hateful, it's not anti-Jewish, it's not even anti-Israel. It's just about having a heart - standing against genocide and apartheid.'Another pro-Palestine supporter called Ryan, who also clarified he was not speaking as a member of AFZ, said: 'I think you should separate state from religion. I understand the historical fear and antisemitism is a horrible thing.'He said there were large groups of Jewish people supporting Palestine and the actions of the Israeli government should be viewed separately from the actions of Jewish people as a whole. Law student Leo Hill, who made it clear he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of AFZ, said: 'It's not hateful, it's not anti-Jewish, it's not even anti-Israel. It's just about having a heart - standing against genocide and apartheid' The group says it is expressing solidarity with Palestinians who have been killed and displaced in Gaza, taking inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement that targeted South Africa in the latter half of the 20th century One member of the counter protest got up close to the faces of AFZ campaigners, shouting 'f*ck you' and 'show us your faces'. He added they were using phones with Israeli technology The Daily Mail spoke to pro-Palestine supporters, who said they were not antisemitic but simply against genocide in Gaza One pro Palestine supporter called Ryan, who also clarified he was not speaking as a member of AFZ, said: 'I think you should separate state from religion. I understand the historical fear and antisemitism is a horrible thing'One member of the counter protest got up close to the faces of AFZ campaigners, shouting 'f*** you' and 'show us your faces'. He added they were using phones with Israeli technology.A police officer took him aside to calm the situation.People passing by and witnessing the unfolding events said there was a lot shouting and not enough conversation.Passerby Jasmine Frank said: 'I came here to learn about these issues. People are shouting and I don't know how this is supposed to help peace.'
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