Voice of the Jewish News: Our polling reveals generational divide
When those of a certain political persuasion complain about Jewish criticism of the Israeli government, they should remember they are complaining about the concerns of the vast majority of British Jews.
It will not have escaped regular readers’ notice that, as a newspaper, we have been strident in our coverage – and criticism – of Israel’s new far-right ministers, most recently of their intention to rip up established democratic checks and balances.
At Jewish News, we have always believed that newspapers do not have a right to preach but do have a right – dare we say duty? – to reflect the general thoughts and feelings of its readership, if there is a groundswell of opinion one way or another.
Faced with the inevitable rage, we decided to institute a little checking and balancing of our own, asking respected pollster Survation to take the community’s temperature on the new Israeli government and our right – or otherwise – to criticise it.
The results both surprised us and reassured us that we had – over various front pages in recent weeks – been on the right lines: a Brexit majority (52 percent) felt the inclusion of the far-right in the seat of power in Jerusalem had “impacted” how they felt about Israel.
Moreover, a staggering 77.26 percent of British Jews, including a whopping 85.25 percent of young Jewish adults, said: “It is acceptable for Jews outside Israel to publicly express concern about the Israeli government.”
The results both surprised us and reassured us that we had – over various front pages in recent weeks – been on the right lines: a Brexit majority (52 percent) felt the inclusion of the far-right in the seat of power in Jerusalem had “impacted” how they felt about Israel.
So, when those of a certain political persuasion write to us to complain, they should remember they are complaining about the vast majority of the British Jewish community, who overwhelmingly feel Israel matters to them.
Laying to rest that particular argument, the results should give pause for thought to Israelis who care about the country’s relationship with the diaspora.
It worth noting some of the 700 respondents were polled before concerns over the coalition’s targeting of the judiciary, so it’s likely the results would have made for even more concerning were these questions being asked today.
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