Why Purim demands we stand up to hate in Britain today
From Esther to today’s Britain, Jewish courage means defending human rights for our community and others
Purim is, at its heart, a festival of courage, of the bravery of Esther, the moral clarity of Mordechai, and the power of a community that refuses to be silent in the face of hate and persecution. Each year, as we read the Megillah, we are reminded that moments arise in history when individuals and communities must use their voices to protect the vulnerable.
This message feels profoundly relevant in the UK, and Purim feels especially resonant this year. Not only are discussions about weakening or reshaping the UK’s human rights protections circulating in political and public debate, but our community itself is facing unprecedented levels of anti-Jewish hatred that sadly led to the murder of two members of the Manchester community on Yom Kippur. In this moment, courage is required not only in our defence of universal rights but also in how we respond to the hostility directed at our own community. As a British Jewish human rights organisation, we know how vital strong, enforceable protections are – both for us and for all minority groups.
Our namesake, Monsieur René Cassin, helped design the modern system of human rights principles, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the intellectual foundations of the European Convention on Human Rights. These safeguards were created in the aftermath of the Holocaust explicitly to prevent governments from acting above the law and to protect minorities when majorities turn hostile. Today, however, calls to dilute the UK’s Human Rights Act and reduce the reach of the European Convention on Human Rights risk eroding these essential protections.
Purim reminds us of what happens when unchecked power targets minorities. The Megillah is not simply an ancient story; it is a warning. The Jewish community knows, from texts, history, and current experience, that rights must be codified, enforceable, and universal, not left to goodwill or political mood. This is precisely why the post-war human rights framework was created, and why René Cassin, the Jewish voice for human rights, continues to advocate for its protection.
In the UK today, safeguarding human rights remains essential for:
- Challenging hate, including anti-Jewish hatred, and discrimination faced by marginalised groups.
- Promoting ‘everyday rights’, including fair and equitable access to housing, food and healthcare, and creating an effective platform, through the Jewish Everyday Rights Forum, for shared learning and advocacy on socio-economic rights.
- Protecting migrants and asylum seekers from hostile policies, which in recent years have made conditions increasingly difficult for people to safely seek refuge in the UK.
- Ensuring the UK remains firmly committed to the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights and the rights it enshrines.
This Purim, as we celebrate the bravery of Esther, the resilience of Mordechai and the collective strength of the Jewish people, we invite the UK Jewish community to renew its commitment to defending the moral and legal structures that keep all communities safe. Just as Esther used her voice at a critical moment, we too must speak out: to protect the Human Rights Act, to challenge hate, and to ensure no one in our society is treated as ‘less than human’.
Purim is our reminder that courage is a Jewish value, and today, courage means defending the UK’s human rights protections by the Jewish community and for the Jewish community.
- Mia Hasenson-Gross is the executive director of René Cassin, a UK-based human rights organisation that works to promote and protect human rights in the UK
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