Bristol Door-Knock Boycott Campaign Descends Into 'Jew Hunt' Accusations
Members of the Bristol Apartheid-Free Zone campaign found their planned door-to-door canvassing operation abruptly halted after counter-protesters confronted them with accusations of conducting a 'Jew hunt'. The activists had intended to encourage local residents to boycott Israeli products amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but their efforts were met with fierce opposition outside a Sainsbury's supermarket.
Clashes and Confrontation at Planned Event
More than a dozen counter-protesters gathered at the pre-arranged meeting point, where chants of 'Palestine will be free', 'Israel is a terror state', and 'occupation no more' from the AFZ campaigners were met with shouts of 'stop the Jew hunt'. Footage from the scene captured the two groups clashing while waving flags, with police officers present to monitor the escalating situation.
The confrontation forced the AFZ activists to retreat to a nearby pub, while counter-protesters continued shouting 'Jew hunt' and 'Nazis' outside. The planned door-knocking campaign was abandoned entirely to avoid further confrontation and prevent shouting outside residents' homes.
Holocaust Survivor's Daughter Voices Fear
One counter-protester, identified only as Susan, expressed deep concern about what she described as 'Jew hunts' organized by left-wing and Islamic organizations. The daughter of a Holocaust survivor who declined to share her surname or show her face told reporters: 'I grew up hearing these stories with people saying exactly the same thing. This chills me to the bone.'
Susan emphasized her determination to stand against what she perceived as hatred, stating: 'I feel a duty to be here so that haters know people don't have the support of the general public. I'm standing here for my children, who are going to be here for much longer than I am.'
Campaign Objectives Versus Accusations of Harassment
The AFZ activists maintain they are advocating for a boycott of Israeli products because Israel 'thrives on international support'. They draw inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement that targeted South Africa in the latter half of the 20th century, expressing solidarity with Palestinians killed and displaced in Gaza.
However, critics argue such campaigns may encourage antisemitism or frighten Jewish residents confronted on their own doorsteps. Mark Birbeck, founder of the 'Our Fight' group that aims to reclaim Bristol's streets from what he calls targeted harassment of Jews, described the door-knocking as a 'purity test' rather than mere information gathering.
'We're not against freedom of speech but we think this is harassment,' Birbeck stated, referencing recent attacks in Bondi Beach and Manchester as evidence of rising antisemitism. He revealed he had personally been spat on and punched during previous incidents.
Local Residents and Observers React
Resident Sally Campbell, whose mother was a Jewish refugee, witnessed the protest outside Sainsbury's and expressed discomfort with the door-knocking approach: 'I wouldn't want someone knocking on my door. I think it's intimidating and I can choose what and where I buy from.'
Retired science teacher Alison Wren, 79, who is not Jewish, joined the counter-protest to speak out against harassment of Bristol's Jewish community: 'It's just ridiculous, knocking on people's doors and writing down whether they agree to boycott Israel.'
Pro-Palestinian Supporters Defend Their Position
Law student Leo Hill, speaking as an individual rather than an AFZ representative, clarified: 'It's not hateful, it's not anti-Jewish, it's not even anti-Israel. It's just about having a heart - standing against genocide and apartheid.'
Another pro-Palestine supporter named Ryan emphasized the distinction between state actions and religious identity: 'I think you should separate state from religion. I understand the historical fear and antisemitism is a horrible thing.' He noted that many Jewish people support Palestine and that criticism of the Israeli government should not be conflated with antisemitism.
Tensions Escalate With Personal Confrontations
The situation grew particularly heated when one counter-protester approached AFZ campaigners closely, shouting obscenities and demanding they show their faces while accusing them of using phones with Israeli technology. A police officer intervened to calm the individual and prevent further escalation.
Passersby expressed frustration with the confrontational atmosphere. Jasmine Frank observed: 'I came here to learn about these issues. People are shouting and I don't know how this is supposed to help peace.' The events highlighted the deep divisions within the community regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and appropriate methods of protest.
