Opinion
We dare not ignore rising antisemitism, says Yoni Birnbaum
Rabbi Birnbaum believes that those who have allowed antisemitism to harbour must be held to account
October 9, 2018 13:12
3 min read
Rabbi Birnbaum believes that those who have allowed antisemitism to harbour must be held to account
October 9, 2018 13:12During the day of Yom Kippur, I run an open question and answer session for young adults in my community. The session is always fascinating, and the direction the conversation takes is usually a good barometer for what has been on people’s minds ‘Jewishly’ over the past year. No surprises, of course, that the discussion this year was overwhelmingly focused on antisemitism in the Labour Party.
I felt there were two important takeaways from the conversation.
The first of these was the general perception that ‘casual antisemitism’ is on the rise. One of the participants described how he had mentioned to a group of work colleagues that a new opportunity had recently come his way, which he was inclined to accept because the pay was marginally better. At that, one of the people in the group quipped, ‘Good Jewish boy, always following the money’. Taken aback, he explained that he found that comment offensive.
The individual concerned replied, ‘I’m black, I can’t be racist’. Even worse, the other participants were bothered that he had made a fuss about the comment. They resented the fact that he had ‘ruined’ the meeting by making everyone feel uncomfortable.
Others in the group recalled similar recent experiences, whether in university halls or around office watercoolers. Casual comments — perhaps said in a thoughtless way, perhaps genuinely not intended to offend. But comments that were undoubtedly on the rise.
People who harbour prejudice are becoming more emboldened to state their views openly — and, even worse, feel that they can now rely upon the (deeply offensive) rejoinder that Jews make a fuss over antisemitism for their own ends.
The second takeaway was that for the first time in their lives, fully acculturated young British Jews, who have always seen themselves as British in every way, are now being forced to question whether they are truly at home in this country.
It was very clear from the conversation that no-one felt under imminent pressure to pack their bags. But there was a concern that at some point in the future they might be forced to decide whether this country was actually hostile or welcoming to them as Jews. There is genuine anxiety out there in the community.
One of the participants phrased a question in an interesting way. ‘Last year’, she said, ‘I asked you whether you felt that Britain was a safe place for Jews to live. You replied that it was. Do you still think this is the case?’
I replied that I genuinely still believe we will not have to countenance leaving this country in the near future. I am confident that the overwhelming decent majority of the British public will not allow a scenario to come to pass in which open antisemites are allowed to progress beyond the fringes of British politics. The democratic values this country is founded upon welcomed our parents, grandparents and thousands of Jews since 1655 with open arms. And as the Prime Minister recently made very clear, there are enough good people here who will do anything it takes to ensure it continues that way.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that a lot can happen in a year. The fact is that the Jewish way has always been to keep our eyes and ears open to hostile elements around us. And in this context, things have changed since last year.
Last year, antisemitism was in the news. This year, it is headline news. And that does not only make uncomfortable reading, it makes us question our very place in this society. I shudder when I hear older members of my own congregation say things like, ‘this is how it felt in the 1930s’. Whether we like to admit it or not, antisemitism is alive and well in this country, and is no longer as afraid as it once was to keep itself well-hidden.
These recent developments are hard to see in isolation from Labour’s problems with antisemitism. Through inaction, intransigence and a simple refusal to do the right thing on the part of some figures in the Labour leadership, antisemitic elements in this country have been given a stronger voice than before.
Two ways in which I saw this reflected in my conversations with young Jews this Yom Kippur, were the perceived increase in antisemitic tropes being banded around, as well as genuine anxiety over their own future here.
These are concerns we dare not ignore. And even more importantly, those who have allowed such a situation to come to pass must be held to account.
Yoni Birnbaum is Rabbi of the Hadley Wood Jewish Community
