Voice of the Jewish News: European leaders must remain looking outwards
This week's editorial reflects on France's new president Emmanuel Macron and Jonathan Goldstein, who will now head the JLC
That Marine Le Pen will not inhabit the Elysée Palace is good news for all who think intolerance bad news. But there is a dark cloud to the silver lining: She won more than a third of French votes. Five years ago, she won less than a fifth. Yes, voters still chose Europe and inclusion by a comfortable margin, but the numbers don’t lie and the direction of political travel is painfully clear.
Le Pen’s hard line on Muslim immigrants has been at odds with her constant efforts to reassure French Jews that she has no problem with them, that they in fact share a common enemy – militant Islam. What she’s never grasped, however, is that Jews are worldly-wise, and know that while these days it may not start with the Jews, they usually feature at some point.
As former Israeli parliamentarian Einat Wilf said: “It is never really about the Jews. Hatred of Jews is about those who hate, not about those who are hated.”
Likewise, for today’s intolerant European politicians – who focus on Islamic extremism, condemn anti-Semitism and profess a love of Israel – hatred of Muslims is about those who hate, not about those who are hated. At its core, it boils down to hatred of ‘the other’, within which definition Jews are included.
So we wish Emmanuel Macron well, but moreover, we hope Europe as
a whole rediscovers that a mix of people of all kinds and creeds makes for a better society. Jews tend to look outside and invite outsiders in.
Europe’s politicians could do with doing the same.
And also….
Sir Mick has left a gap, but Jonathan’s got credentials
Few communal leaders have polarised opinion quite like Sir Mick Davis. But that he leaves the organisation and Anglo-Jewry far stronger than when he began his JLC role is not in doubt. Commissions on schools and youth have led to transformative steps forward in these sectors.
While some have claimed he overstepped a line in his outspoken concerns about Israeli policy, his passion for the country was a driving force behind some of the largest celebrations of Israel on the streets of the UK – while he continues to be one of the most significant backers of Israeli causes. Jonathan Goldstein has big shoes to fill, but arrives in the hot seat with the credentials and the plan to take the Jewish Leadership Council and Anglo-Jewry to even greater heights.
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.
