A London Comedian's Urgent Plea for Solidarity Against Antisemitism
In the face of escalating antisemitism across London, Benjamin Bell—a comedian, DJ, and journalist—has issued a heartfelt call to action, urging allies to stand firm against anti-Jewish racism. His message comes as a stark reminder of the daily realities faced by the Jewish community, where even celebratory events require heightened security measures.
The Hidden Armour of Jewish Life in the Capital
Bell reflects on the shocking feedback he received after previously writing about wearing stab vests to enable fellow Jews to visit synagogues or send children to Sunday school. This is not a new phenomenon born of today's normalised antisemitism, he notes, emphasising that such precautions have long been part of his lived experience. The fact that this reality remains largely unknown beyond the Jewish community highlights how removed certain aspects of the Jewish experience are from the wider world.
We walk among you. We work among you. We wear armour alone, Bell writes, poignantly capturing the isolation felt by many. He adds that the silence of too many decent people amid threats to Jews can sometimes feel harder than the danger itself, underscoring the critical need for vocal support.
Glimmers of Hope Through Interfaith Solidarity
Despite the challenges, Bell treasures the friends and strangers who have stood tall and spoken true. He recalls moving examples of solidarity that give him goosebumps, such as a traditional Friday night dinner hosted and attended by non-Jews in honour of the Jewish community. The challah and chopped liver they had never served nourished stomach and soul, he describes, illustrating how small acts of kindness can bridge divides.
Other heartwarming instances include a Christian couple delivering doughnuts on Chanukah—our hearts made whole by the treat with a hole—and a colleague offering to forgo a lie-in to stand guard in the cold, sending a midnight message that read, You've got me. Sleep tight, mate. These gestures, Bell stresses, are vital in combating the pervasive sense of isolation.
The Tragicomic Reality of Security at Jewish Events
Bell reveals that the headline about a comedian, DJ, and journalist walking into a Bar Mitzvah is not the start of a joke but a tragicomic backdrop to a harsh reality. On his last security shift, he took over from a mainstream journalist, was replaced by an international DJ, and received help from a TV comedian—all performing regular stints alongside professionals to protect a Bar Mitzvah. Yes, even a coming-of-age ceremony for innocent youth can be a target, he notes soberly.
What struck Bell was the random, fascinating mix of individuals who, after their duties, melt back into busy London lives. Each has an audience to their craft: people learn from the journalist, listen to the DJ, and laugh with the comedian. Yet, these audiences often remain oblivious to the anxieties facing Jewish parents as their families feel the breath of antisemitism on their necks.
A Global Crisis Requiring Local Action
Bell points out that warning signs have been evident for too long, citing the tragic killing of congregants at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester last year, where heroic volunteers prevented greater tragedy. Since recent atrocities on Bondi Beach, another murderous plot has been foiled in the UK, an American synagogue has been burnt down, and Canada faces daily horrors against Jews. Yet all are drops in a polluted ocean the world over, he observes, noting that while 15 million Jews may hold 30 million opinions, they face a much larger number of haters.
In the UK, Bell argues that effective policing, education valuing history over hate, action against online bile, and building interfaith connections are essential to turn the growing tide of British Jews assessing their future here. However, the most basic step is at a human, individual level. Staring up at the mountain of antisemitism, we need our neighbours and co-workers to climb with us, he urges.
A Call for Allies to Take Action
Bell calls for allies willing to call out anti-Jewish racism and end the tolerance of intolerance, as well as advocates who will repel extremes and reject division. Reiterating his earlier sentiment, he writes: We walk among you. We work among you. We wear armour alone. With your words and actions, please help us take it off, he concludes, making a powerful appeal for collective responsibility.
Benjamin Bell is a London-based corporate affairs leader, using his platform to highlight these critical issues and foster a more inclusive society.
