What it means to be a Jew in Britain today

The British Jewish community has become understandably edgy about the spate of antisemitic attacks in recent months. This edginess is now spilling over into the sense that not enough is being done to protect the community, despite robust efforts by governmental and law enforcement agencies to counter the attacks.

A key to the understanding of the problem is the close link which exists between many Jews and Israel. This makes it easy for protests at Israeli actions in Gaza to be construed as antisemitic. Unfortunately, many of the protesters make no distinction between Jews and the policy of the Israeli government, and they make no effort to moderate the extremist language inscribed on their placards and shouted in their chants.

The intimidatory effect on British Jews of marches calling for the destruction of Israel cannot be underestimated. This raises the question of how and by whom these marches should be controlled. So far, there is no sign of any attempt to self-regulate the language of the demonstrations, which, for maximum impact, is cast in polarised terms. Israel is vilified and Palestine is hailed as its successor. In the minds of many who protest, the two entities can never coexist in harmony.

Today, eighty years after the event, the Holocaust still haunts the Jewish community. This means that every antisemitic incident reopens old wounds and sends a shudder of alarm through the community. Organisers of protests denouncing Israel need to tread carefully if they are genuine in their anti-racism and if they value the sensitivities of British Jews.