OPINION: UK remains a resilient home for Jews in this relentless crisis
Chairman of The PR Office, writing in a personal capacity, says the right of British Jews to live in peace is being undermined
Over the past weeks, following the shocking chaos and carnage in Israel, friends of all faiths the world over, have called and messaged me with words of comfort. Having heard of the massacres that took place in early October, they reached out to me. Their consolations centred around any family or friends I have in the country. I deeply appreciated their support.
Yet, in the last week or so, those words of comfort that filled my inbox have turned to words of concern, focused now, alarmingly, not my foreign relatives in Israel but on me here in the UK. Friends through Europe and the US have started to ask me, “is it safe in London?”.
I am British, Welsh born and bred. I have always felt safe and welcome in Britain, and have been grateful for the way Jewish communities in this country – contributing, integrated, and peaceful – have been supported by society and government, as an integral, recognised part of modern Britain.
However, day by day, I reply to my concerned friends and colleagues, for British Jews, life is becoming less safe.
Of course everyone has the right to protest, peacefully, as the law enshrines. Yet, some of the Pro-Palestinian activity has greatly overspilled the confines of such a definition. Demonstrations have contained prominent pockets of hateful and violence-fuelled mobs, videoed chanting “death to Jews,” their placards filled with incitement and hate speech.
Additionally, these “protests” have not been confined to the public square, as they should be, ordered rallies. Instead, individuals Jews on the bus and the tube, in the street, the gym, or on university campuses have been the targets for any person to jeer at, hurl obscenities to, intimidate, or more.
How has it come to this?
The government and politicians from all parties, public figures, church leaders and leaders of all communities have issued sharp condemnations.
Yet, still each Jew walking on the street, it seems, is a legitimate target for harsh verbal or physical abuse. Graffiti and stickers have been plastered on Jewish shops and property.
Schools, synagogues and community centres have increased their security presence, and areas with larger Jewish populations now have more police patrols. These are not peaceful protests, these are criminal acts, and Jews across the country no longer feel as safe. Be concerned, I reply to my kind acquaintances, our safety is now being threatened.
I am sure about one thing though. I will not hide, nor will I put away the outward signs of my faith. Why? Because I am British, I live in the United Kingdom and I am proud of our democracy. We need to protest and protect against such threats to the safety of our citizens, of whichever religion or belief. For Jews in Britain currently, their most basic human right to live in peace is being undermined. Political debate is fine, yet incitement and fear are not.
That is one voice that needs to be heard.
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