There is a joke doing the rounds — in Northern Ireland polling stations occasionally get used as schools and community buildings. The general election will be the fifth province-wide vote in around 18 months. There might be a sixth if Sinn Fein call for another Assembly election. Maybe a seventh if their call for a border poll to determine whether Northern Ireland remains in the UK is accepted.
The Jewish community is extremely small — around 80 members, and spread out across a number of constituencies. In the former heartland of north Belfast, where I grew up, there are now only about 30 members living off the Antrim Road.
Even if each Ulster Jew voted a dozen times they would have very little electoral significance. Which makes the concern of Ulster’s political parties for Jewish-related matters all the more surprising.
Nigel Dodds, veteran North Belfast MP, is a highly-respected member of the All-Party group on British Jews. The last Parliament’s antisemitism inquiry called on five Ulster MPs, both Unionist and Nationalist, as vice-chairs and members.
I struggle to think of a major Northern Ireland politician who hasn’t visited Belfast’s synagogue or spoken at a Jewish-related event.
The main parties fielded senior teams to meet the Board of Deputies when it lobbied Stormont.
But it is the issue of Israel which provokes partisan engagement. DUP MPs and Ulster Unionists speak out regularly in defence of Israel.
On the Nationalist side, the SDLP argue the case for Palestine — following Sinn Fein, who as Irish republicans do not take their seats in Parliament.
All eyes will be on whether Sinn Fein will build on its strong showing in the recent Assembly elections. But Stormont itself remains in paralysis with the parties unable to agree a way forward.
Many commentators believe — irrespective of the number of elections — the province is heading towards a period of direct rule from Westminster.
Steven Jaffe co-chairs Northern Ireland Friends of Israel
