How deep do Israel’s problems in Great Britain really go?
In the last week, a ferocious debate has broken out inside Britain’s Jewish community about Israel’s reputation and what to do about it. As a matter of principle, I do not get involved in community politics in the UK. I am not Jewish and it is, therefore, none of my business.
However, this time around I have unwittingly become part of the story. It all began on July 21 with an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post in which I attempted to outline reasons for the precipitious decline in Israel’s standing in the UK in recent months. It was bad to begin with, I argued, but it has recently taken a nose-dive. A week later, Vivian Wineman, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews also had a piece in the Jerusalem Post in which he essentially argued that there was nothing to worry about in Britain (see July 28 blog entry). Mr. Wineman is a former chairman of British Friends of Peace Now. My analysis, he said, was “misguided and alarmist”.
On Wednesday, I was asked by the London-based Jewish Chronicle to offer some of my thoughts on the matter.
I duly obliged and my piece ran in the paper today. Here’s the link:
http://thejc.com/articles/board-chief-handed-a-pr-gift-israel%E2%80%99s-enemies
July 31st, 2009 at 11:52 am
In the Jerusalem Post last week Robin Shepherd had an article warning about the growth of anti-Israel sentiment in the UK spilling into antisemitism.
In Monday’s Jerusalem Post Vivian Wineman had a piece countering Robin’s piece and downplaying the sentiments in it. It is signed in his official capacity.
Robin’s piece omitted a number of things - for example the reported £35,000 donation to Breaking The Silence from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
A few days after the publication of CST data showing that there were more antisemitic incidents in the first six months of 2009 than in any complete year, and with Aliya this year from the UK set to reach a record, the undersigned Deputies believe that the President of the Board and Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council is the last person who should be downplaying the undoubted growth of malevolent opinion in the UK towards Israel and - by extension - towards Jews who speak out in support of Israel.
As Deputies, we wish it to be known that Mr Wineman’s article does not represent our views and we ask him in his future public pronouncements to be more sensitive to the record level of antisemitism, much of which is Israel-based. It is impossible to begin to address the problem unless the Jewish leadership recognises it.
(At least one Deputy supports this statement but is unwilling to go public. But if there is a recurrence s/he says s/he will go public).
Ben Bernstein; Marion Davis; Ronnie Fraser; Jonathan Hoffman; Harry Levine; Carole Orgell-Rosen
July 31st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
“As a matter of principle, I do not get involved in community politics in the UK. I am not Jewish and it is, therefore, none of my business.”
That doesn’t matter one jot or tittle. It’s only what’s in your heart and head that is relevant here. In actual fact, I think the Jewish community would be extremely well served if you became the next president. Indeed, I believe it could only be better served by Melanie Phillips or Stephen Pollard.
Robin Shepherd says: I appreciate the vote of confidence, as it were, but I won’t be running!
July 31st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
The unfortunate reality is that the enemies of Israel will latch on to Vivian’s comments as support for their stance (ie. if a Jew says there is no problem then there is no problem, oh and Israel is illegitimate and mass murders” etc…).
It would be interesting though to understand what Vivian was thinking? Perhaps he truly does have his head buried in the sand when it comes to the blatant anti-semitism displayed around this country on a day to day basis.
As a personal example, last year I stepped in to calm a situation down where muslim teenagers had taken exception to an orthodox Jew who just happened to be passing through Canary Wharf. What was this guy’s crime? Merely being a Jew.
A few slapped heads later and the boys were being hauled off by security, probably to have a stern talking to and some counselling!
The really sad thing was that the guy I stepped in to help refused to make a statement to the police. He had buried his head in the sand and didnt want to take any action to stop what happened to him happening to anyone else unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Robin, we are grateful for your voice, and your clear sighted approach. It doesn’t matter if one is Jewish or not. It simply matters if one is sensible, reasonable and right.
August 1st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I found your original JP article to be a very accurate and incisive analysis of the current situation in Britain and was very disappointed to read Mr. Wineman’s subsequent reaction.
I cannot believe that the best interests of Britain’s Jewish community are being served by a member of its leadership behaving like a battered wife who insists she has walked into a door.
Sadly, I suspect that there may be a political component to Mr. Wineman’s argument which, while perfectly legitimate in a private capacity, is not, in my opinion, appropriate in his public role.
August 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 am
Jonathan Hoffman has a great piece in the Jerusalem Post today
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1248277944837