OPINION: We must call out this repulsive situation before our enemies do
Jenni Frazer asks how British Jews can be expected to keep their mouths shut while Netanyahu makes his comeback on the backs of unspeakable political bedfellows.
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
There is an unpleasant irony that this week marks the 27th anniversary of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, by a right-wing extremist, Yigal Amir. This week, of course, also marks the unwelcome emergence into the next Israeli government of right-wing extremists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, whose party won a staggering 14 seats in the November 1 elections.
Rabin’s family, in the wake of the Ben-Gvir and Smotrich victory, decided not to participate in this year’s memorial ceremonies. But look who was announced as a speaker alongside President Isaac Herzog and outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid? Smotrich, that’s who. Smotrich, who came to Britain earlier this year and was told in no uncertain terms that he and his racist views are not welcome here.
I don’t know whether Smotrich insisted on his place in the line-up of politicians paying tribute to Rabin, or who thought it was a good idea to invite him.
In my opinion his presence is a sick indicator of what is happening in the Jewish world today. In two successive weeks, this newspaper has starkly laid out the issue: before the election, asking “Where is the outrage?” at Benjamin Netanyahu’s cynical wooing of the far right; and after the results were announced, headlining the paper, “Our worst fears”.
For those in the community who applaud their election — well, Lord help us all.
Because here’s the thing: the likes of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich don’t care about democracy — or rather, they do, as long as they are winning. But Netanyahu’s egotistical determination to get himself off the hook for the corruption charges he still faces has led us to this defining moment.
It’s a moment which is asking diaspora Jews to make a choice, between “my Israel right or wrong” and “we can’t support an Israeli government containing racists.”
The continued polarisation of politics — led by Netanyahu and his grinning, entitled son, Yair — and the demonisation of Arabs as “the other” — has trickled down into diaspora Jewry.
In the same week as the Israeli electorate delivered its damning endorsement of the far-right, many community members were present at a celebration in central London to mark the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords. Mingling with the communal leaders were ambassadors and ministers from the three Arab nations which signed agreements with Israel two years ago, Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE. Britain’s latest prime minister, Rishi Sunak, gave an upbeat address praising the Accords and declaring confidence in a bright future for the region.
The elephant in the room was, of course, Netanyahu’s return to power and the breakthrough victories of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Nobody mentioned the election results; all was honeyed words, and talk of dialogue and confidence in potential peace in the Middle East.
I asked a nearby communal leader how the Arab ambassadors might respond, if asked about the possibility of future co-operation with a racist Israeli government. “There won’t be any questions”, I was told.
So that’s it. We keep our mouths shut, we diaspora Jews, appalled by Netanyahu’s comeback, and even more appalled by the people he has chosen as his political bedfellows.
I don’t buy it. Israel can’t ask for international Jewish support and flag up the Accords, while at the same time Ben-Gvir and Smotrich peddle disgusting racism towards Arab Israelis. Or preen itself on its wonderful attitude towards LGBGT+ citizens, while even now Netanyahu’s coalition partners are denouncing the Tel Aviv annual Pride parade.
It seems to me — and I would say this even if this column did not appear in the JN — that it is incumbent on us to call out this repulsive situation first, before our enemies do. We need to tell the wider world that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich do not represent us.
And for those in the community who applaud their election — well, Lord help us all.
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.
