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What do British Jews really think about Israel’s reforms?

London protest shows angst over the plans for Israel's judiciary is running high among British Jews, particularly among the young

March 16, 2023 09:20
THIS2
2 min read

For the 1,500 British Jews and Israeli expats rallying in Parliament Square on Sunday against the judicial reforms being pushed through the Knesset, protest has become a moral imperative.

Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, senior rabbi of The Ark Synagogue, told the JC she attended the demonstration because she felt a “duty” to ensure Israel remained true to its founding principles.

“We do believe Israel as a Jewish and democratic state would be seriously undermined by the reforms,” she said.

It was strong language that voices an angst running through Anglo-Jewry, particularly among the young. Joel Rosen, president of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), said that students have been increasingly vocal in their concerns.

“Thirty per cent of students I represent belong to progressive denominations, so to see people in position of power inciting hate against Jews as well as other groups creates a sense of worry,” he said.

The student leader, who attended the Parliament Square protest with a UJS banner, said he was not concerned about generational disunity emerging among British Jews. “There are generational divides but part of that is younger people being more prepared to voice concerns that the wider community share,” he said.