My politics are Israeli politics and a lot of the discourse that takes place in the UK, also takes place in Israel. Dinner tables, ‘ul ha esh’ (BBQ), restaurant gatherings, pubs, coffee shops or even in a taxi, these are all places where vibrant and agitated political disagreements take place. Everyone in Israel is a budding Prime Minister. So let us not pretend for a … Continue reading How the Jewish Diaspora let down its own children
Some UK Jewish papers have already opened the ‘annexation front’, criticising Israel for unilateral action it may be about to take. I promised myself I would stay quiet on this until July – when I expected to be forced to stand up against an uproar from some of the small-but-vocal quarters of the diaspora community. It seems they are so eager to make a noise, … Continue reading Those pesky Israelis just can’t stop disappointing diaspora Jews
Many people think that with the election done, the battle is behind us. They use several arguments to rationalise this – chiefly based on the idea that the troublemakers are a small fringe who have been ‘dethroned’. This type of blinkered and naive vision is the same short-sighted, stick-your-head-in-the-sand strategy that allowed for Corbynism to arise in the first place. Even the first wave of … Continue reading Corbynites seek to ignite a race war with the Jews
I start with an apology. This blog is one that I am forced to write. The trigger is a survey that the Board of Deputies is trying to put together. One I feel poses a real threat to our community. Over the last few weeks I have tried in vain to open a dialogue with the Board of Deputies. I have not been alone in … Continue reading The Board of Deputies don’t want us to talk about their survey
Trigger warning: If you think you will be triggered by discussion of the word ‘Islamophobia’, then you should not read this article – in fact you probably should not be reading my blog at all. It is too honest for you. The most offensive article in the history of the world On December 16th Melanie Phillips wrote an article about the use of the word … Continue reading Yes, we should talk about the ‘i’ word
The Board of Deputies (BOD) are about to commission a survey of British Jewish attitudes. Let me save them their money. Their survey will confirm that British Jews identify with Israel, are shy to call themselves ‘Zionist’, are in favour of a ‘two-state solution’ and hate ‘settlements’. In fact, it will say everything that the designers will want it – and will design it – … Continue reading The BOD, surveys, Jewish leadership and free speech
Yesterday there was a meeting between the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), Board of Deputies (BOD), and Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK Labour Party. The Jewish organisations reported that the meeting had been disappointing as Corbyn had failed to meet even the ‘minimum level of action’ necessary. As I wrote last week, these are the opening moves of a game ‘that must be played‘. Neither … Continue reading The Corbyn v Jews chess match. Gaining time by doing nothing
