Head of Jewish Facebook group says amount of personal abuse a ‘disgrace’
Jon Stein, a moderator on Jewish Community London, says he has been criticised 'for being too left, too right, racist, sexist and personally radicalising people'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A moderator of a Facebook page set up to serve London’s Jewish community during the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has complained he has been subjected to disgraceful abuse from some of those using the platform.
Jon Stein, one of at least three moderators of the Jewish Community London group, wrote: “The amount of abuse the moderators and myself are receiving from this group is a disgrace.
“We are being hammered on Facebook and Twitter for being too left, too right, racist, sexist and according to one I am personally radicalising the community and should be ashamed of myself.”
Jewish Community London has proved to be incredibly popular, after appearing online at the start of the latest conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
With many in the capital fearing for their safety in the wake of widespread pro-Palestinian activism, the Facebook group had grown to 10, 000 members by last week.
But with such a large audience, many of whom have been regularly posting, it proved hard to edit out offensive and at times racist remarks, which began to appear on the platform.
Extremists from the right and left have also posted on the site in an attempt to further their own causes.
Jewish News understands that the post followed complaints by some users that they had been removed from the group after protesting about anti-Muslim sentiment openly expressed on the site.
One member of the community, who asked not to be named, said they had posted on Jewish Community “after multiple references to ‘they’ and ‘them’ were left on the site meaning ‘Muslims’.”
They said was felt “awful to be chucked out of a community space for posting that racism was unacceptable.”
Another individual complained they had been thrown out after posting just one message highlighting similar concerns.
After protesting about her treatment, the moderator eventually relented and said this individual could return.
It is understood that the site has received similar complaints from those saying they have been wrongly accused of being racist or anti-Muslim.
In a lengthy message posted on the site, moderator Stein added: “Nobody is forced to be here.
“Nobody is forced to read the content of this group. If you don’t like it leave.”
He added: “If you can’t fathom that being rude/racist/personal isn’t acceptable like it wouldn’t be in person, then leave.
“While we have empathy and sympathy for people’s personal circumstances, we aren’t your therapists, your support dogs or your punching bags.
“If you can’t handle the emotional rollercoaster of talking to people of the same religion, maybe social media isn’t for you.”
Jon Stein told Jewish News: “The group was created to allow the Jewish community in London to share information. We are working hard to provide a space that is inclusive and encourages people to engage and debate on a range of topics but ultimately in a fair and respectful way. Sadly a few people haven’t been able to do that and they have been removed, not because of their political viewpoints but simply because they couldn’t stick to the rules of the group. With 10,500 members there will always be a wide range of opinions on any topic, and members have to respect one another regardless of whether they agree with one another”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
