Irish woman subjected to antisemitic abuse and violence for standing up to far-right activist

An Irish woman was subjected to antisemitic abuse and violence after she became entangled with a far-right activist and conspiracy theorist.

The victim, Aneta Safiak, a court interpreter who lives in Longford, alleged that she was subjected to physical and verbal attacks and online abuse after she objected in May 2019 to her son being included in a photograph posted on Twitter by a far-right activist to illustrate her claim that Irish people were “becoming an ethnic minority in many towns in Ireland.”

Ms Safiak said that the online abuse started immediately and that she has more than 700 screenshots of abusive messages. The insults included “Paid Zionist Hasbara troll” and “If I was Hitler, you and your sort would be first for a shower.” It is not known if Ms Safiak is Jewish.

Others read: “This is the wretch who led a vicious purge and witch-hunt of Irish citizens, financed by foreigners of course” and “Mossad always chooses pretty Ashkenazi b*tches like you to mess up with men [sic]. Seduce them and brainwash.” Yes another read: “You are an enemy to this State. A Mossad paid prostitute.”

Eggs and paint were apparently thrown at her car and house and hate messages were scrawled on windows. The grave of her still-born baby was vandalised and in September Ms Safiak was physically attacked with stones thrown at her back and leg while she was visiting the grave.

“At this stage I really have nothing to lose… I do not feel safe, I do not feel protected, I do not feel supported,” she reportedly told a local newspaper. “We do have a problem with racism and not a lot of people want to do anything about it. But by doing nothing, you’re allowing it to happen,” she declared.

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