Jewish social workers left ‘scared’ over colleagues response to antisemitism
EXCLUSIVE Dr Paul Shuttleworth, from UK Jewish Social Worker Group, says:'It's uncomfortable being a Jewish social worker .. non-Jews are deciding whether we are allowed to define antisemitism'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Jewish social workers have admitted they are being left “scared” and “uncomfortable” by the response of their colleagues to their attempts to combat antisemitism.
A motion tabled for debate at this week’s British Association of Social Workers (BASW) conference, backed by the Social Workers Union, (SWU) calls for the body to “suspend the decision to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism.”
Meanwhile, a podcast in which two Jewish social workers discussed their experiences of antisemitism, produced in conjunction with the Community Security Trust, was taken down by BASW officials, in response to a complaint from a Palestinian campaigner suggesting the recording “seeks to confuse criticism of apartheid Israel with antisemitism.”
In a response to last October’s podcast dispute, the newly former Social Worker Jewish Group, set up to represent those from the community who practice the profession, issued a statement saying:”Sadly, we expected these types of complaints because the podcast was the first to ever talk about antisemitism and social work, with two Jewish people talking about their experiences.
“We expected attempts to censor, silence, intimidate, and cancel Jewish voices and opinions.”
The podcast was eventually aired again, but a section in which Jewish voices explained how the chant “Free Palestine” could leave them concerned on occasions, was cut from the podcast.
Dr Paul Shuttleworth, a lecturer and tutor for Sussex University an an independent social work practitioner, tweeted on Wednesday: “It’s uncomfortable being a Jewish social worker at the moment.
“We are not being listened to and non-Jews are deciding whether we are allowed to define antisemitism. Yes this is real.”
Shuttleworth also referred to the motion at this week’s conference calling for the IHRA definition to be dropped.
He wrote: “It puts Jewish experience up for debate by non-Jews”, before adding that “when two Jews talk on a social work podcast, it is removed and edited/censored.”
Another social worker who asked to remain anonymous, told Jewish News:”The climate for those of us identifying as Jewish in the industry has never been worse.
“It started with the idea that because many Jews were not people of colour, they could not understand what racism was.
“From here it has just got worse.”
A CST spokesperson also confirmed:”CST stands by everything we said in the podcast. Last May was a frightening time for British Jews, and on far too many occasions the slogan ‘Free Palestine’ was used to harass and abuse Jewish people on the streets.
“This is the reality of how antisemitism played out at that time and rather than censoring Jewish voices, social workers would do better to listen and learn.”
Jewish News understands the motion calling for the IHRA definition to be dropped will be debated at the BASW AGM on Thursday.
It has been tabled by a social worker named Abyd Quinn-Aziz, based in Cardiff, Wales.
As well as calling for IHRA to be dropped it calls for discussion on “whether BASW needs to adopt a particular definition of antisemitism.”
Using familiar language, the motion also claims IHRA has had a “chilling effect” on free speech.
In their own statement in support of the motion, the SWU state:”SWU members have expressed concern about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.”
While accepting IHRA can be “helpful” the SWU then claims “the examples added to guide this definition have been regularly used to conflate criticisms of Israel with antisemitism and to frame defending Palestinian rights as antisemitic.”
Jewish News has contacted the SWU for comment on their statement.
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.
