Julie Russell, at The Blogs

Julie Russell

Oct 7, 2024, 6:55 AM

Dear Israelis – I Hope One Day You’ll Live in Peace

I remember vividly being in Israel on 7th October 2023, the day Hamas launched its devastating attack. I’ll never forget the two weeks that followed in Tel Aviv - days etched in my memory forever. That morning, I planned to...

Feb 15, 2024, 7:39 PM

To Jews Everywhere: I’m Sorry I Hadn’t a Clue

Ordinary People in London: Atheists, Christians, Jews, Muslims? Who knows?

My shortened name is Ju, but I’m not, and never have been, a Jew. Indeed, I’m not proud to admit that I managed to get through most of my life knowing very little about Jews. I describe myself as...

Nov 30, 2023, 11:04 PM

Time to ‘Woke Up’ to Antisemitism

Call to the Woke - Wake up to Antisemitism (image courtesy of the authors)

On Sunday 26th November 2023, we joined around 100,000 people in what has been described by mainstream media as the “largest gathering against antisemitism London had seen since the Battle of Cable Street in 1936”. Although billed as a...

Nov 24, 2023, 9:24 AM

Stop British Contributions to the UNRWA

Guest blogger - Tom Waterton-Smith United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is not fit for purpose: The UNRWA states its aim is to “provide relief and human development services to the people...

Nov 19, 2023, 9:40 PM

March of Terror in London

It was the overwhelming sound of the ‘zaghrouta’ that finally made me realize I felt scared in the streets of London, possibly for the first time ever. Hundreds of women were performing the ululation or ‘tongue wag’, a high-pitched...

Nov 16, 2023, 3:06 AM

Elad’s Story: A Jew in Israel

While holidaying in Israel in early October, Tom and I met Elad. We were looking for somewhere to sit outside a local coffee shop in Dizengoff Square, Tel Aviv, when Elad invited us to join him at his table....

Nov 10, 2023, 5:55 PM

Quiet Voices That Must Be Heard

I was on holiday in Tel Aviv with my best friend Tom Waterton-Smith when the Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and our stay was extended as a consequence. We met wonderful people and this is not really our story -...

Nov 10, 2023, 5:20 PM

Words Matter – Disarm the Weaponised Media

Responsible commentators must choose their words with care. Misapplication of incendiary language such as ‘genocide’, ‘apartheid’ ‘ethnic cleansing’ and ‘war crimes’ has become commonplace in describing the current conflict between Gaza and Israel. Sources guilty of misappropriation of these...

About Me

I am a former clinical microbiologist, now working as a qualified English Language teacher teaching English to refugees and migrants in London. I have travelled worldwide both for pleasure and as part of my former scientific role. I have lived in London for more than 30 years. I love to run and workout in the gym. I write these blogs with my best friend, Tom Waterton-Smith

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