This was a precious moment of consensus in our community. The Board of Deputies told Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right Israeli Knesset member, to “get back on the plane and be remembered as a disgrace forever.”
But it was not the Board alone, or even the 300 constituent organisations it represents. The Zionist Federation followed, affirming that “far-right politics of hatred and division have no place in our country nor in our community.” The Jewish Leadership Council also lauded “the values of tolerance and equality which we pride ourselves on as a community” as opposed to the “divisive rhetoric and actions” of Smotrich. You might say we haven't seen so much communal unity since the demonstration against antisemitism outside Parliament.
What happened here reverberated profoundly in Israel, including when some figures leapt to the defence of Smotrich, who has been on the record expressing deeply racist, homophobic and anti-pluralist views. Meanwhile, support for British Jews from Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai and Meretz head Nitzan Horowitz shows it’s not just us who find Smotrich anathema.
During this media flurry, I watched the Board’s Chief Executive Michael Wegier describe to Israeli news, in Hebrew, how British Jews are consistent in fighting racism, outlining our efforts against antisemitism and fighting for equality. I know the remarkable role we can and do play tackling issues for Jews around the world.
Our community’s condemnation of Smotrich is not maverick or one-off behaviour. We have a long and proud history of supporting Israel and standing up for social justice issues. We were pivotal in the campaign for Soviet Jewry. We have always stood against delegitimisation of Israel wherever it occurs. We continue to stand up for the plight of refugees and the voiceless, drawing attention today to the Uyghurs as they face genocide and ethnic cleansing in China.
British Jews’ connection to Israel is sacrosanct. Every year we send half of our 16-year-olds on organised Israel tours, while a relationship of philanthropy and partnership exists between a host of Israeli organisations and Jewish groups in the UK. Many of us find ourselves on an umbilical yo-yo as we regularly visit friends and family in the Jewish state.
Yet our deep love and engagement with Israel does not come “at all costs.” 78% of British Jews support a Two State Solution and so an end to the Occupation. When we do not see our values of compassion, justice and equality reflected back at us, we speak up and demand better. We believe that Israel should be a Light unto the Nations, but also that we have a duty and responsibility to help that light to shine when it falters. We rally against hatred and bigotry because of, not in spite of, our love for Israel.
The confusion in Israel about British Jews’ opposition to Smotrich might indicate a shift in Israel-Diaspora relations. Maybe the Diaspora is pointing out how corrosive and normalised conversations have become there. From telling Arab parliamentarians they are only citizens “for now” to organising a “beast parade” against LGBT+ rights, we are right to be shocked by Smotrich’s litany of incitement. I hope that this moment provides a mirror for how desensitised some people have become towards intolerance, whether directed against Arab Israelis, LGBT+ people or non-Orthodox Jews.
I am proud to be a member of a community which is upstanding and consistent. The Board of Deputies’ stance against hatred comes directly from its commitment to the Jewish community. Support for Israel drove the Zionist Federation to be unequivocal that groups that met with Smotrich do not represent us. British Jews know that Israel is far better than the virulent racism and homophobia embodied by Smotrich.
The UK Jewish community brought the world Limmud, that celebration of Jewish creativity and rigour. Jewish schools in this country have gone from strength to strength, and our world-class youth movements are shining examples of hadracha - leadership - in action. There are deep roots helping us stand with Israel and stand for justice everywhere.
Looking at our decent and wise community, I can only pray for this: long may it thrive.
