Voice of the Jewish News: A silver lining in a sickening week
The outpouring of disgust at the antisemitic convoy from across the spectrum – and overwhelming support for our community – has been the one bright spot in a truly awful week.
Let’s not speculate about why it’s this conflict – the one involving the Jewish state – brings people on to the streets like no other. Let’s assume the masses are rightly moved by the tragic pictures coming out of Gaza over the last 10 days – just as the Jewish community has.
As in previous conflicts many of the dead in Gaza will be shown to be terrorists, but every single innocent – including the 60 children who have died in this latest conflict – is one too many.
We pray that Hamas’ capabilities to harm innocent Israelis – let’s not forget that is its stated aim – is severely depleted and a ceasefire imminent, as was reported at the time of going to press.
But why wasn’t there a single banner at last weekend’s mass pro-Palestine rally calling for peace for all or even just for Hamas to stop firing?
Why do some seem incapable of supporting the Palestinians without resorting to naked antisemitism – at that demonstration and in the days since?
An Arabic reference to the death of Jews at the demonstration was followed by the sickening sight of a convoy of cars cruising through north London, spewing antisemitic abuse and calling for the rape of Jewish women.
British Jews have been targeted at work, on campus and on social media. Mezuzot were removed from homes in Borehamwood and a young family targeted in their car in Hendon. Their crime: being Jewish.
Over the last 10 days there has been a 600 percent rise in reported hate crimes against Jews. That figure is expected to rise further.
The 2021 conflict may be set to reach a conclusion far quicker than in 2014 but it’s little wonder that the last few days have, for many in our community, felt scarier than ever.
Those behind the hate care not one jot for Palestinians, do nothing to further the cause of an independent Palestinian state and are rightly admonished by the vast majority of those wanting a peaceful solution.
Theirs is not the Britain we know and cherish. The outpouring of disgust at the convoy from across the political spectrum – and overwhelming support for our community – has been the one bright spot in a truly awful week.
As has, as ever, the inspiring work of the CST.
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.
