Devastating new analysis on dire situation for Israel and the Jews in Britain
In today’s Jerusalem Post, Jonathan Hoffman, co vice-chair of the Zionist Federation and a member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has a devastating analysis of the increasingly worrying situation for British Jews and the reputation in that country of the State of Israel. It is a must read for anyone interested in the subject.
Hoffman’s is the third in a recent series of commentaries on the subject which kicked off on July 21 with a piece of my own in the Jerusalem Post in which I sought to explain why matters had become so bad in recent months. A week later, the president of the Board of Deputies, Vivian Wineman — a former chairman of British Friends of Peace Now — had written a response to my piece effectively arguing that there was nothing much to worry about in the UK.
Writing more in sorrow than in anger, Hoffman has now produced an evidence based defense of my position, simultaneously lamenting the myopic tendencies he ascribes to Jewish community leaders who “do not seem to see problems even when they are staring us in the face.”
Hoffman refers to the recent study by the Community Security Trust showing a record rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Britian. Indeed, in the first six months of this year there have been more anti-Semitic incidents than in any full year since records began in 1984. The link between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism in these incidents is clear. Hoffman then builds up a veritable mountain of evidence to back up his case.
I should add that although I am extremely grateful to Hoffman for his kind words in my defence, I do not regard this debate as in any way personal. There are far bigger issues at work here than any of the people involved in discussing them, and none of us should forget that.
To read the article, click here:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277944837&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Tags: Israel
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 am
Thanks Robin. This is 100% about issues, 0% about personalities. No-one must think otherwise.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Jonathan - a truly excellent piece; well done.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Back in the 1970s and ’80s, the late professor of Jewish Studies at Leeds University, Hyam Maccoby, continually pointed out that anti-Semitism was as deep-rooted and pervasive in the UK as in times past. He was criticised by friend and foe alike for what was considered his overly negative assessment. In his twilight years he expressed no satisfaction at having been proven right. His writings on modern anti-Semitism and its roots and dynamics remain, in my opinion, among the most insightful and profound that has been produced on the subject of modern Western (and Leftwing) anti-Semitism by any scholar and/or commentator.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Robin Shepherd, a truly critical thinker. I am surprised, but happy, to discover that there are rare individuals among the British political intelligentsia whose guiding principle is not HYPOCRISY.
August 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I wish to congratulate both Robin & Jonathan Hoffman for their clear analyses, both fact-based. Regarding the late Hyam Maccoby, (Lawrence’s comment above) sadly his daughter Deborah is very active in the so-called “Jews for Justice for Palestinians” & collaborated with Deborah Fink in writing the dreadful “alternative carols” a couple of years ago.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Robin, you are doing a great job in exposing the hypocrisy and bigotry against Israel that is flowing through the body politic of the UK. It takes courage to stand up against the tide of ignorance, myopia and spite and declare that; ‘the emperor has no clothes!’.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I can’t believe how technology evolved along the yers, thanks for this article tough.