We did not try to find a political solution, a way to carve up the territory or an answer to Iranian aggression; we doubt anyone would listen – particularly as we are all women! But we did talk about the agony of war, the trauma of Palestinian children and the desperate plight of the 97 remaining hostages. We shared our fears for our youth in a world where being Jewish or Muslim often feels taboo and political. Above all, we re-committed to how we refocus the national narrative on the importance of preserving and reviving our humanity.
This past year has been excruciating. As the massacres on October 7 in Israel, rapidly followed by the brutal war in Gaza played out in the region - and on our screens - tensions between Jews and Muslims in the UK have almost reached breaking point.
Polarised views grip the two communities, allowing little room for nuance or discussion. The very intimation of the existence of multiple explanations for the current intractable conflict is off-limits. Even within the Jewish community, many people, filled with understandable existential fear for Israel and the Jewish people, cannot stand to hear a view which differs even slightly from their own. That divide is far wider between even moderate British Jews and Muslims who identify so closely with the religious identities, at the very least, of the warring parties.
Jewish people’s identification with Israel is difficult for many Muslims to understand – British or Israeli seems an easy distinction for a non-Jew, but in reality, they are inextricably interconnected for people with family, friends, and a shared history with Israel.
Similarly, to explain the deeply sacred bond between British Muslims and the holy place of Jerusalem is akin to a birthright and not a covert ploy to disguise antisemitism.
Yes, there is antisemitism within Muslim communities – and yes, the language used about Muslim people amongst Jews can turn inexcusably prejudiced. But within Nisa-Nashim, the only Jewish/Muslim national network, we women are focused on bringing our respective communities through this horrific period together.
Our commitment is to eradicating corrosive hatred and racism from tomorrow’s Britain and imbuing hope for humanity in spaces far beyond right and wrong.
Laura Marks CBE is the joint founder of Nisa-Nashim and Dr Zaza Johnson Elsheikh is a trustee
