First they came for…When will we ever learn?
JVL Introduction
Both antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise and yet it is more likely that attention will be paid to the sensibilities of Jewish people than the harsh realities of life for Muslims living in the UK. In this article, we see that the language used to demonise Muslims today bears a striking resemblance to that used against Jews a little over 100 years ago. Perhaps all that is learned is that racism works to divert attention and energy away from the real cause of poverty, poor services and powerlessness; the ruling class determined to hold on to power and the rich determined to hold on to their wealth.
In this article, George Monbiot focuses on the press but also the politicians. It is worth an additional note to remind us that the first ever immigration act in the UK was the 1905 Aliens Act, specifically designed to stop the “flood” of poor, left wing, Jews fleeing pogroms and economic discrimination in the Pale of Settlement. (This was introduced by the very same Lord Balfour of the eponymous Declaration)
The experiences of Muslim people in this country must be taken more seriously and their concerns addressed.
LL
This article was originally published by The GuARDIAN on Thu 5 Mar 2026. Read the original here.
Read these words from 100 years ago about immigrants in Britain – and see how history is chillingly repeating itself
Shabana Mahmood’s new rights clampdown looks outlandish until we remember that this kind of hardline action is part of our country’s fabric
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I was really impressed with this piece in The Guardian, and even more with his performance on Question Time last night when he was virtually the only one to challenge the War on Iran.
“Then and now, it’s the government that needs to confront the lies in the media. Instead, it endorses them and grovels to the oligarchs.”
Yes, it is interesting to compare the lengths Blair would go to to make the case for his wars and contrast that with his refusal to defend immigrant communities or asylum seekers.
Having seen Britain from a very early age & how the majority of British people were “unkind”& suspicious of t foreigners just to adults but the children too!
Religious discriminations varied, it was not Just Jews but European Catholics too,yet Britain was a bombsite❗️
As with all bombsites it’s the people you need to rebuild a flatten country & there were not enough White, English , trained builders, transport & hospital staff to do that, so many from around the world were accepted, Irish, Jamaicans, Europeans came & did find things really hard, hard in housing, low wages & hard for their children’s schooling, as teachers tended to ignore the children from the refugees, saying they will be returning back to their own countries, so it wasn’t worth spending time on their educations❗️
Now the want to return to the early 50s & have “ Reform” as a political RACIST PARTY is a sign of the past, even Labour that once supported all Labourers because THEY are the main work force, computers may design buildings & roads & shopping centres but it’s the workforces that build them leaving calluses on their hands!!
Sadly we have a plethora of educated Politicians , these are not particularly educated in humanity or compassion & their inability to view our changing world & the desperate need for PEACE & tolerance is being ignored!
BLAIR HAD his turn in Government & made a hash of most of it, he ignored me & thousands of others about a war he had NO RIGHT to join forces with another warmonger BUSH!
Still I want to know who murdered Dr. David Kelly & why does Blair keep that secret hidden for ever❓
In fact being an island the UK wanted to keep foreigners away, whilst a handful of highly
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