Daniel Finkelstein

Latest from Daniel Finkelstein

Dear Whoopi, like Jews, racism comes in different colours

The actress’s latest comment about the Holocaust is so wrong, it’s hard to know where to start

By Daniel Finkelstein

3 min read

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Whoopi Goldberg attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

If it is truly going to change its ways, the BBC needs our support

3 min read

The country now knows what makes Judaism special

3 min read

What’s wrong with weaponising Labour left’s antisemitism?

3 min read

More from Daniel Finkelstein

Why Jews ignored stark warnings from inside Auschwitz

New books by Karina Urbach and Jonathan Freedland illustrate how hard it is to believe things that seem unbelievable — and how we persuade ourselves of convenient falsehoods

3 min read

June 23, 2022 14:22

Why Jews ignored stark warnings from inside Auschwitz

‘Hitler was Jewish’ – the lie that blames Jews for everything

Russia’s attempt to portray Ukraine’s Jewish-led government as Nazi is a mirror image of the Nazi claim that Bolshevism was a Jewish plot – and Putin’s intentions are all too clear

3 min read

May 6, 2022 11:15

‘Hitler was Jewish’ – the lie that blames Jews for everything

We do not forget the Shoah and that’s how we will defeat Putin

The Russian dictator has consistently tried to edit out the Russian atrocities of World War Two as part of his preparation for the current war. Holocaust education is the antidote

3 min read

March 18, 2022 24:00

ORANIENBURG, GERMANY - JANUARY 27: Carnations hang at the infamous entrance gate that reads: "Arbeit macht frei", or "Work sets one free" at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial on January 27, 2020 in Oranienburg, Germany. January 27th will mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, the most notorious of the many Nazi concentration camps. The Nazis began the operation of Sachsenhausen in 1936, initially as a prison for their political opponents, but later used it for other groups, including Jews and Soviet prisoners of war. Sachsenhausen was the first camp to test the use of gas chambers for perfecting the mass murder of prisoners. (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

Mum’s inspirational Holocaust survivor friend has no anger

Lily Ebert’s extraordinary memoir is both tragic and uplifting — and it is clear that her compassion and wisdom have never faltered, even as others have fallen victim to acrimony

3 min read

January 27, 2022 10:50

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert lights a candle during a National Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on January 26, 2017 in London, England. The commemorative event, attended by religious leaders, heard testimonies from survivors of the Holocaust, in which millions of predominantly Jewish people were killed. National Holocaust Day on February 27 marks the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet troops. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

‘Enough is Enough’ rally was a risky idea but it really paid off

Jonathan Goldstein showed true leadership by putting his reputation on the line

3 min read

December 10, 2021 10:33

‘Enough is Enough’ rally was a risky idea but it really paid off

Rabbi Sacks began a conversation which we need to continue

In the aftermath of the killing of Sir David Amess, we can learn much from the writing and teaching of Lord Sacks, by trying to trust and understand each other and our differences

3 min read

October 21, 2021 13:54

Rabbi Sacks began a conversation which we need to continue

Biden’s America has sadly forgotten the lessons of the Shoah

America saved us all from tyranny during the Second World War and gave the world security, but the sight of US forces turning their backs on Afghanistan makes Jews afraid

3 min read

September 2, 2021 17:30

MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA - JANUARY 26: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds January 26, 2020 in Marshalltown, Iowa. In a what appears to be a neck-and-neck race, Biden is ahead of rival candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) by 6 points in a USA Today/Suffolk University poll but is running behind Sanders by 8 points according to a New York Times/Siena College poll, both polls of likely Iowa caucus-goers conducted at about the same time. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

National happiness is good for the Jews — but oh so fragile

We shouldn’t fear celebrations of national identity, which can solidify our place in society — but history reminds us that the position of ethnic minorities can change with the mood

3 min read

July 15, 2021 12:22

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Fans show their support as they make their way down Olympic Way during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The anti-Zionists try to start every debate right in the middle

Supporters of Israel can begin to win arguments by returning to first principles: the Jewish state exists as a safe haven and there is no evidence suggesting that it is no longer needed

3 min read

May 27, 2021 12:17

Hundreds of Palestinian nationals and pro-Palestinian activists gathered at Times Square on May 18, 2018 to support the ongoing struggle in Israeli-occupied territories . (Photo by Erik McGregor/Sipa USA)

Why were Jews left out of government report on racism?

The claim that Britain is making progress on reducing racism would not be so clear-cut if our experience had been considered, given how troubling the past decade has been for us, writes Daniel Finkelstein

3 min read

April 8, 2021 14:35

Why were Jews left out of government report on racism?

It’s that rare thing — something new to say on antisemitism

He’s not religious and is not a Zionist, but it is precisely this that gives David Baddiel the space in which to take on antisemites and powerfully expose their deep bigotry, writes Daniel Finkelstein

3 min read

February 26, 2021 11:40

ER24PW Hay-on-Wye, Powys, UK. 25th May 2015. David Baddiel, English comedian, novelist and television presenter, in conversation at the Hay Festival 2015. Credit: Graham M. Lawrence/Alamy Live News.

Politicians are our defence against mob rule

'There is no such thing as the will of the people, only many varied wills and these wills have to live with each other.'

2 min read

January 15, 2021 10:01

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump turns to reporters as he exits the White House to walk toward Marine One on the South Lawn on January 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Following last week's deadly pro-Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol, President Trump is making his first public appearance with a trip to the town of Alamo, Texas to view the construction of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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