OPINION: Terrorising an elected official out of office is NOT democracy
Mike Freer's hounding out of office for his support for the Jewish community is an indelible and ugly mark on our society, writes Rabbi Miriam Berger
The democratic process enables us to be appreciative of the hard work of a local MP even if we didn’t vote for them. The democratic process means that although we aren’t going to agree with every vote or the stance taken on every issue, we can still be heard.
The democratic process means when someone is voted fairly into a role, their position should be respected and votes and voices should be the only way to change the status quo.
Terrorising someone out of their position as MP is an abhorrent concept for a free, civil and democratic society.
Mike Freer took his allyship of the Jewish community within his constituency to heart and it didn’t matter where we were on the political spectrum, we knew he represented us, his Jewish constituents. I’m sure many others, whether part of other minority groups or none, felt he acted honourably and worked hard representing their needs too.
Yet every member of my shul who assumed he was a fellow Jew and just a member of a neighbouring shul, hence we saw him at local events rather than synagogue services, reminded me that when someone stands shoulder to shoulder with you long enough they become part of you in their own way. Never for a moment would I have wanted his unwavering support to mean he bore the brunt of the worst of being Jewish without the wonderful benefits that our Jewish community brings.
Some of the hatred directed at Mike is similar to that which sadly all our MPs face at times in their career, but he was also subject to antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred on top. He received the unpleasant threats but none of the joy of our Jewish heritage and culture that so many of us take for granted. His representation was true democracy. The hounding out of his post is a stain on our society and something we all need to speak out against.
- Rabbi Miriam Berger is the founder of Wellspring, an organisation championing the combination of talking therapies and the ritual of mikveh, immersion to mark moments of transition in life.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
