Muslims. muesli and media

There has been a worrying increase in anti-Jewish physical attacks in the UK from 2003 into 2004. Also there has been a spate of such attacks on frummers. in London's Stamford Hill area just recently. These latter, we are told, have been carried out by black and Asian youths giving Nazi salutes and chanting things like Zeig Heil. These are, of course, cause for concern and an explanation needs to be found, the attacks have to be stopped and the attackers need to be pursued. So into the fray steps the Israeli government.

According to David Weinberg, at Natan Sharansky's office, "most acts of anti-semitism in Britain were carried out by Arabs or Muslims" and it's The Guardian,The Independent. and the BBC who have "created a climate that encouraged such attacks". In the case of the BBC:

He singled out the coverage of the Israeli army assault on Jenin refugee camp in 2002, in which 58 Palestinians were killed, mostly armed men.

Now what are the thought processes behind a Guardian. -reader attack on a Jewish target? Do they read the Guardian, put down their muesli, swap their sandals for a pair of boots and then go and attack a Jewish target? Or are Guardian. and Independent. readers more thoughtful than that? Do they watch BBC reports on Jenin, where the Israeli Chief of Staff casually announced that his troops had killed over two hundred Palestinians, then wait until over two years have elapsed and then go out and attack some Jewish targets?

As I have already said, these attacks are cause for concern and action but would it help to silence those precious few reports that actually shine a light on Israel rather than the usual siding with Israel or muddying the waters. I think it would probably hurt more than help.