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Opinion

King Charles has always had a special relationship with the Jewish community

Both officially and in his personal life, our new monarch has always shown understanding and affection

September 9, 2022 08:20
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3 min read

King Charles' accession to the throne has been greeted with acclaim by our community. That acclaim has its roots in the advice given by Jeremiah to the Jews who were taken into Babylonian exile in 586 BC, whom he enjoined to “Pray for the peace of the city in which you dwell...for in its peace is your peace” (29.7). This has traditionally been interpreted as praying for the head of state.

We do not feel we are in exile in Britain, but it is still true that minorities are most secure when the country at large is stable, so we would have pledged loyalty to whoever succeeded Elizabeth II, be it Prince Charles or anyone else.

In today’s world, the monarch does not have a great impact on most people’s lives. Except for rare occasions, such as a royal coronation, funeral or jubilee, few people are even aware of their activities.

But whilst the Crown lacks power, it does have influence. Bearing in mind all the negative consequences that could have stemmed from a pro-Nazi sympathiser being on the throne had Edward VIII not abdicated, Charles’ record so far does need scrutiny.