OPINION: ‘Campaign Against Antisemitism is the freedom litmus test’
By Gideon Falter
Campaign Against Antisemitism is still only a few months old. Our organisation was born during the summer of 2014 when antisemitic incidents reached their record-breaking peak. We held the grassroots rally outside the Royal Courts of Justice that put zero tolerance law enforcement against antisemitism on the agenda. Since then I have been meeting at senior level with government departments. Last week I had a private meeting with the Home Secretary, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Executive of the College of Policing the police and CPS to deliver on our zero tolerance platform. The government is behind us.
We commissioned these surveys because we know that the problem is serious, but it is hard to prove to the many who claim “it’s not that bad”. Antisemitic incidents always peak when there is fighting in Israel and tail off once it is over.
Our figures came as a shock. Polling took place when there was no fighting in Israel, yet 45% of British Jews fear they have no long-term future here, a quarter have considered leaving and over half see echoes of the 1930s. Meanwhile, 45% of people hold at least one antisemitic view and 25%hold at least two. Our polling of the British population by YouGov used twice the required sample size and our polling of the Jewish population sampled almost 1% of the Jews in Britain.
Are almost half of our countrymen antisemites? No, they probably haven’t even met Jews and have learned prejudice they might not even realise is antisemitic. Will 25% of Jews leave next year? No, but clearly our community is afraid. Our figures show that we are at a tipping point. It is time to stop saying “it’s not that bad” and address the issue.
Almost 70% of Jews feel that the community has to provide security because the state does not provide enough. In three separate questions 80% linked antisemitism with anti-Israel activity and media bias. These figures will now feed into our discussions with the government.
We have an action plan which we are pursuing with the government. We are speaking the truth to those in power and finding partners keen to work with us. Antisemitism in Britain is not a Jewish problem, it’s a British problem. Jews are the litmus test of freedom – our fate is the fate of society. If you agree, join us at www.antisemitism.uk.
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.
