Conflict Spills onto Local Streets
A female supporter of Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi (HFOAM) was physically attacked outside the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sunday 20 July as she waited to greet the arrival of fundraising walkers from Hastings. An unidentified man approached her without warning, grabbed at the keffiyah (traditional Palestinian scarf) she was wearing, called her a “terrorist”, and a violent assault ensued, which police are investigating.
The attack was condemned by Hastings Women’s Voice and by Hastings Mosque, both of which issued statements deploring the assault, and by Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn, who said that she personally hoped to attend the next HFOAM fundraising walk planned for Sunday 10 August.
A number of local business owners have also reported being targeted with stickers accusing them of Hamas sympathies and of anti-semitism in response to their advertising of community events such as the Oh Big Blue poetry exhibition by children in Gaza. One of them, Steph Warren, owner of the Stella Dore gallery, said: “I hope many more people will join me on the fundraising walk on the 10th, and show that these cowardly bullies are the minority who will never silence the vast majority of our town who stand for peace and justice.”
On the other side, Hastings Jewish Community (HJC), which represents local Jews who are broadly supportive of Israel’s actions in Gaza, complain of what they see as a disturbing increase in antisemitic behaviour in Hastings, particularly among younger age groups. “Most of our members live in a constant state of unease and fear, with parts of town, businesses and people they avoid, while we all search out safe spaces in our daily lives. Many are reluctant to openly express that they are Jewish”, said Dany Louise, HJC director.
One correspondent on the HJC Facebook page wrote recently that he has encountered Holocaust deniers, seen Hitler glorified in casual conversation, been verbally and physically threatened in public, and had to cut off friendships due to overt antisemitic comments. On one occasion, “after a brief mention of Israel”, he says he was heckled with chants of “Free Palestine” and, later that evening, his hair was deliberately set on fire in a pub, which had to be evacuated. On another occasion he says he was threatened with being thrown over a wall and had to leave a public space for his own safety. HJC blames “constant anti-Israel activity by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and their associated groups, including Friends of Al Mawasi”.
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