Letters to the editor: ‘Why no fuss when Israelis face bans?’
If you want to send us your comments you can send us a letter: PO Box 34296, London NW5 1YW, or email us: letters@thejngroup.com
Why no fuss when Israelis face bans?
Last week’s report (Sadiq Khan told Israelis are also hit by nationality bans) stated: “The perceived double standards were highlighted after Khan condemned Donald Trump for his Executive Order banning US entry for people from seven Muslim-majority countries [while ignoring similar] discrimination faced by Israeli citizens in 11 [Muslim-majority] countries.”
This apparent contradiction was explained by Heinrich Himmler, who was responsible for the Nazi camps and the Einsatzgruppen death squads: “Anti-Semitism is exactly the same as delousing. Getting rid of lice is not a question of ideology, it is a matter of cleanliness.”
On the other hand, in November 1944 he said that Islam is “a practical and sympathetic religion”.
Daniel Bernard, former French ambassador to the UK, showed a similar attitude when he said in an unguarded moment: “All the current troubles in the world are because of that sh***y little country Israel.” No wonder nobody makes a fuss when Israelis are barred from Muslim countries.
Martin D Stern
Salford
Two ways we can tackle hatred on our campuses
Regarding Maajid Nawaz’s column on the rise of anti-Semitism on British university campuses [27 January], perhaps there are ways to combat this after all.
One problem seems to be the indifference shown by the governors at LSE and SOAS. They must show more of a backbone in these matters.
The second area which might make a difference is to investigate the funding given to each of of these universities and to ascertain whether it is possible to influence sponsors to reconsider their support because of the biased view and behaviour of the various students.
Saul Morris
By email
We must pledge to proactively prevent scourge
It is extremely disconcerting that there has been a significant rise in anti-Semitic hate crime in London.
Of course any rise is deplorable, but the 65 percent increase reported by the Community Security Trust last week is terrible.
London is a world renowned culturally inclusive city, but obviously more work needs to be done.
I will continue to encourage the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London to work more proactively to prevent these types of hateful crime.
Keith Prince, London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge
Rabbis are so wrong about Trump’s policy
Last week, some 40 leaders from the Reform and Liberal communities, headed by Laura Janner-Klausner, wrote to The Times expressing dismay at Donald Trump’s executive order restricting immigration to the US from seven Muslim countries for 90 days while immigration processes are being reviewed. Their letter claimed to draw a comparison with the “lessons of history”, a direct reference to the horrors of the Holocaust. Rabbi Klausner later posted an article on Facebook by Qari Asim entitled ‘Trump’s politics of hate stir dark echoes of the Holocaust’.
I’m sorry Rabbi Klausner, but they don’t. Genocide is characterised by the organised murder of an entire ethnic group. The Holocaust, like all genocides, was an evil act of systematic mass-murder.
What these so-called leaders of the Jewish community have said and insinuated serves to undermine and belittle the memory of the Holocaust. Citizens of European countries were starved in ghettoes, abused, humiliated, murdered and burned in ovens. Their memory is not a political point to be scored and their suffering is not to be belittled.
It is disgraceful to equate an EO calling for a temporary immigration restriction from seven countries with the crimes of genocide. I am ashamed by these representatives of our wider community and disgusted by their letter’s sentiments.
As a community we should hold such actions to account. I think a retraction is in order.
Avi Friedmann, NW4
Wilful ignorance of jews who like to attack Israel
Seeing in another Jewish newspaper last week a full-page advert for Jews for Justice for Palestinians made me think of German Jews in the 1930s, who thought they would be fine.
When I looked down the list of names in that advert, all people living in this country, it made me ashamed to call them Jews.
Are these people simply blind to the vile anti-Jewish Palestinian media and Mahmoud Abbas warning time and again that no Jews will ever enter in a future Palestinian state? Do they think he does not mean it?
Are they utterly ignorant to the threat of Hamas and what might happen the day after Palestinian independence is declared? Israel is the only thing protecting the world from such horrors.
Sidney Sands
N12
Put this ‘advice’ in the bin
Alistair Burt [pictured] labels President Trump Mr Unpredictable, while calling John Kerry a “critical” friend of Israel. The same Mr Burt who invited derision and contempt at a JNF event in London when he excoriated Israel for building “illegal settlements”.
Missing from his words calling for a “nuanced neutrality” on the “Palestinian issue” is any acknowledgement of the multiple offers of statehood by Israel to the Palestinians, who rejected them all.
I was in Jerusalem at the same event as Burt when news of David Friedman’s appointment as the future US ambassador came through, but there was no “tangible mood of disquiet” following that announcement. It was Burt’s wishful thinking.
Burt is not a friend of Israel, “critical” or otherwise. His “friendly” advice should be consigned to the bin.
Roslyn Pine, N3
My 16 questions why
Why such anger about President Trump’s decision to ban Muslim countries that have carried out acts of terror? He should protect Americans. So why did the Chief Rabbi condemn him?
Why is he not condemning countries that ban all Israeli citizens from entering? There are 16 of them – why is he so quiet about this? Why are Jewish people protecting Muslims instead of their own kith and kin? Why are they joining in these anti-Trump protests?
Leonora Czarny, By email
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
