The Blogs: The voice of the diaspora

This is a moment of crisis for diaspora Jews. There is a powerful emotional wish to stand up for Israel against the combined forces of hostility waged against it. But there is also overwhelming support for the position that the UK government has finally taken in respect of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

The British foreign secretary on Tuesday 20 May made this announcement: “I say now to the people of Israel: we want, I want, a strong friendship with you based on our shared values, with flourishing ties between our people and societies. We are unwavering in our commitment to your security and to your future, to countering the very real threat from Iran, the scourge of terrorism and the evils of antisemitism. But the conduct of the war in Gaza is damaging our relationship with your government.”

That has to be true, and we know that the saying of it is long overdue. If Benjamin Netanyahu cannot rein in the Kahanist warmongers in his cabinet, and it appears that he cannot, then it seems that we have to rely on outside forces—that is, other countries—to act in a way that forces his hand and constrains him to behave differently.

That is not the same as capitulating to existential threats; it is a matter of adopting policies that treat even our enemies with dignity and do not continue to disgrace what is noble about the Zionist vision. We know that every death in Gaza was a death sanctioned, encouraged and presided over by Hamas; but Israel should be governed by Israel and what is good for Israel, rather than allowing itself to be provoked by its enemies into doing what causes harm.

The UK government is right to call for very much cleverer policies than Israel has increasingly descended into since this filthy war escalated, and we are fully justified, as diaspora Jews, in backing the call.