OPINION: Uniting against hate is the only definitive action to safeguard our future
By Scott Saunders, founder and chair of UK March of the Living
In the heart of London, surrounded by a diverse assembly of voices, I stood this Sunday with five non-Jewish friends. They had travelled from Gloucestershire to join us in a march against antisemitism following the 7 October Hamas attack in Israel and the wave of hate we have seen since around the world.
As speeches echoed through the air, I couldn’t help but be moved by the joining together of cultures and faiths – two young Chinese ladies behind me, a small group of Indians ahead, and a packed train resonating with the collective heartbeat of a society united in purpose.
The majority were from the Jewish community, yet the diversity within our ranks spoke volumes. We marched as one, chanting “never again is now” and “bring them home,” singing and praying together. The palpable sense of unity left me hopeful that, even in the face of adversity, we are not alone.
However, this unity is threatened by the resurgence of hatred that we thought, perhaps naively, had been pushed back down. The Pandora’s box of prejudice has been flung open once more.
The spectre of hate, which we saw raise its head during the Corbyn era, has resurfaced, casting a dark shadow over our shared vision of a harmonious society.
Intelligent academics now espouse conspiratorial theories on campuses and journalists astonishingly draw equivalence between prisoners and hostages, terrorists, and children. This is not merely cause for concern; it is a stark warning that demands our immediate attention.
While it was heartening to hear the condemnation of hate from government officials and opposition leaders, words alone are insufficient to quell the rising tide of bigotry. The time for rhetoric has passed; action is the need of the hour.
The Jewish community, an integral part of the rich tapestry of British society, stands at a crossroads. We contribute to this nation’s history, culture, and progress, but our future is jeopardised by the hateful rhetoric that has re-emerged.
The hate that we face is not a distant, abstract concept; it is palpable, infiltrating academic circles and distorting journalistic narratives. Intelligent minds are being tainted by conspiracy theories, poisoning the well of knowledge.
Journalists, whose duty is to illuminate truth, have fallen prey to the dangerous game of moral equivalence. Prisoners are not hostages, and terrorists are not children. We cannot allow these false equivalences to persist unchecked.
In this perilous moment, we look to our leaders to go beyond mere condemnation. The hate that threatens our community cannot be eradicated through words alone; it requires decisive and tangible action. The time for platitudes is over; the time for legislative, educational, and societal change is now.
In reflecting on the lessons of history, particularly the Holocaust, we must recognise the enduring importance of educating ourselves and future generations about the consequences of hatred and prejudice.
The Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of the horrific outcomes that can arise when discrimination is left unchecked. It compels us to remain vigilant against the seeds of bigotry, fostering a commitment to tolerance, understanding, and the protection of human dignity.
By studying and learning from this dark chapter, we equip ourselves with the knowledge needed to combat intolerance in our contemporary world.
The echoes of “never again” should resonate not only as a historical vow but as an ongoing call to actively promote a society where diversity is celebrated, and hatred finds no fertile ground.
Our community’s prosperity and contribution to society are at stake. It is disheartening to see friends contemplating an exit, fearing that their place in this nation is slipping away. To reverse this trend, we need more than assurances; we need a commitment to foster a climate where every individual, regardless of background, feels secure and valued.
Leadership demands courage and action. Government officials and opposition leaders must collaborate to implement concrete measures that address the root causes of hate.
This includes robust educational programs that promote tolerance and understanding, legislation that holds purveyors of hate accountable, and a commitment to dismantling the infrastructure that enables prejudice to flourish.
Our call is therefore unequivocal: words are not enough. We implore our leaders to rise to the occasion, to stand united against hate, and to translate their promises into meaningful action.
Only through collective effort can we safeguard the future of the Jewish community and, by extension, the soul of a nation that has prided itself on fairness and equality. The time to act is now; the stakes are too high for anything less.
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.
