Opinion
The Jewish vote? It's more complicated than that
Is speculation about how Jewish votes may have contributed to the defeat of the Labour Party is a discussion which is really ‘good for the Jews’?
June 21, 2017 13:41
1 min read
Is speculation about how Jewish votes may have contributed to the defeat of the Labour Party is a discussion which is really ‘good for the Jews’?
June 21, 2017 13:41Last Sunday, I was at JW3 at one of many events to mark the life of Jo Cox, listening to three 15-year-old girls - one Jewish, one Muslim and one from a non-denominational school - talking about a joint project. They perfectly illustrated Jo Cox’s message - that we have more in common than that which divides us.
Just before the general election, JCORE produced a manifesto calling on candidates to commit to the just treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and minority ethnic communities, and asking members of our community to bring Jewish values - based on Jewish teaching as well as inspired by our own experience - into the ballot box.
Of course, people consider many issues when they vote, including the economy and Brexit. The Jewish community is also rightly concerned about antisemitism and Israel.
The JC and others will wish to analyse the potential impact of the Jewish vote in some constituencies, particularly given the recent issues with antisemitism and the Labour party. However, I am concerned about the way that this analysis is then portrayed. I wonder if speculation (including in this newspaper!) about how Jewish votes may have contributed to the defeat of the Labour Party is a discussion which is really "good for the Jews".
A colleague who works outside the Jewish community expressed concerns to me that it reinforces the stereotype of Jews as having disproportionate influence and power. We're rightly sensitive to this myth; so we should be careful not to perpetuate it ourselves.
Such election coverage also contributes to divisions within our community as, regardless of what opinion polls have suggested, many Jews support parties other than the Conservatives and would like their views represented within the community; many feel that the diversity which does exist within our community does not get adequate expression and that debate and questioning which should be at the very cornerstone of Jewish tradition are frowned upon.
Post-election, and with the challenging and disturbing events facing our country, keeping faith with Jewish values including social justice takes on an increased urgency. We need to be more careful that the way we communicate does not risk reinforcing divisions (rather than commonality) within and between our community and the wider society.
Dr Edie Friedman is founder and Executive Director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (JCORE)
