8-7-2024 (HANOI) A disturbing incident involving a Jewish family and a local shop owner has cast a shadow over Hanoi’s popular Train Street, raising concerns about antisemitism in an unexpected corner of Southeast Asia. The Namdar family, known for their Orthodox Jewish vlog “That Jewish Family”, encountered hostility during what was meant to be a casual photoshoot in the Vietnamese capital.
Dani and Raizel Namdar, along with their young children Mendel, 3, and Lev, 1, were abruptly confronted by a shop owner who demanded they leave the premises. The confrontation, captured on video and shared on social media, has since garnered significant attention, accumulating over 40,000 views on Instagram.
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The altercation began when the shop owner noticed young Mendel’s kippah, a traditional Jewish head covering. According to the Namdars, the man began hurling threats and insults, declaring, “My shop doesn’t accept people from your country.” When questioned about his motives, the shop owner initially denied that his actions were based on the family’s Jewish identity.
As the situation escalated, the shop owner was recorded making inflammatory statements, including “Free Palestine” and “We only welcome humans, dogs, and cats.” He also made disturbing references to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, telling the family, “The bombs are coming. Be careful here. The baby is not safe.”
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The incident has left the Namdar family shaken, particularly concerning the impact on their children. Raizel Namdar expressed her distress, saying, “How do you explain to a 3-year-old what he witnessed? How do you explain antisemitism to such a small child?”
This event has sparked a broader discussion about the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The Namdars firmly believe that this incident demonstrates how the two are often intertwined. “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism, period,” Dani Namdar stated in their social media post.
While Vietnam is not known for widespread antisemitism, this incident serves as a reminder that such prejudices can surface anywhere. It also highlights the potential global impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Jewish communities worldwide.
Local authorities have yet to comment on the incident. However, it has prompted calls for greater awareness and education about religious and cultural diversity in Vietnam’s growing tourism industry.
Despite the traumatic experience, the Namdar family emphasised their resilience and determination to focus on love and positivity. “There might be so much hate, but our focus needs to be on love, because that is what is going to heal this world,” they concluded in their post.
