7 minute read
Editorial comment and letters
from 1253
by Jewish News
ISSUE NO. 1253
VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS
UK fails to honour Sir Nicky’s legacy
As Putin’s demonic onslaught enters its third week, the spotlight is on the world’s response to the greatest refugee crisis since 1945.
Ukraine’s neighbours have endorsed an open-door humanitarian policy, with more than 1.2 million people fl eeing to Poland, 200,000 to Hungary, 120,000 to Slovakia and Moldova, 80,000 to Romania and 160,000 to other EU states, including 2,500 to the Republic of Ireland. The UK, in contrast, has so far accepted 957 according to the prime minister, and made the process a bureaucratic ordeal.
Britain’s impressive stance on sanctions and the transfer of arms to brave Ukrainian soldiers stands in stark and shameful contrast to the treatment it is meting out to scared and exhausted women and children, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fl eeing the Russian invasion. We are so out of step with the rest of Western Europe that it is fast becoming a cause of national shame.
As Jewish News went to press, there were assurances that a new UK processing centre in Calais will open in days, but no indication that the government is even willing to consider visa-free refuge.
Back in 2015, Jewish News championed a Royal Mail stamp to honour Sir Nicholas Winton who, in 1939, rescued 669 mostly Jewish children fl eeing another lawless European dictator. If this country wishes to honour Sir Nicholas’ memory, it simply must follow his example.
Jews spent two millennia as refugees, hounded from place to place. Our descendants arrived in Britain fl eeing persecution. Perhaps no other people on earth has such a bitter experience of what it means to be a stranger in a strange land. No wonder more than 100 members of the community, including Liberal, Masorti and Reform rabbis, felt compelled to sign an open letter to the prime minister this week, condemning the lack of progress.
As we contemplate how helpless we are in the face of such overwhelming tragedy, it is comforting and motivating to remember the positive impact even the smallest contribution can have on another life. So, please, support World Jewish Relief's Ukraine Crisis Appeal by visiting www.worldjewishrelief.org.
Our community should dig deep to give and give again to help the millions of innocent victims of Putin’s wicked and senseless war. Our government may continue to fail them. We must not.
THIS WEEKEND'S SHABBAT TIMES...
Shabbat comes in Friday night 5.43pm Shabbat goes out Saturday night 6.47pm Sedra: Vayikra
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send us your comments
PO Box 815, Edgware, HA8 4SX | letters@jewishnews.co.uk
Small things
I feel so helpless in the face of such overwhelming tragedy in Ukraine. Thank heavens for the small things we can all do to mitigate the suffering in a tiny way.
Initiatives such as the one led by Rabbi Jonathan Romain, who you report is involved in lining up Jewish homes for Ukrainians coming to the UK, gives me some consolation and makes me proud to be Jewish. Emma Claffon, By email
Sketches & kvetches
“Trust me... it’s a start!”
LET’S BE A LIGHT
In this time of sheer horror, we in Israel must be a safe haven for any Ukrainian citizens.
We of all people must surely understand what a nightmare situation has been inflicted on a people who want nothing more than to live free in their own independent democratic country.
To be a ‘light unto the nations’, we must in times of need shine brightly. Stephen Vishnick, Tel Aviv
It is a pity Putin has not read the advice of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, heeded by many heads of state.
In his book Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas, Rabbi Sacks makes the point that “the highest achievement... is self limitation: making space for something other and different from us” and says “‘great”’ people... don’t crush or inhibit or try to dominate”. Flora Frank, By email
A two-state settlement requires two states, of which one is/would be a Palestinian state; and a Palestinian state requires a territorial base that can probably only come from land for peace. If this land is not made available, no Palestinian negotiator would accept this deal.
How would those rejecting two states view a one-state settlement and what would be the political and legal relationship between Jews and Arabs? Fraser Michaelson, By email
MINDSET FOR PEACE
I agree with James Windsor’s comments in his letter (Jewish News, 3 March 2022). When it comes to Israel, “land for peace has never worked in the Middle East”, and I doubt it would do so in the future.
I believe there can be a two-state solution without giving up land. It could come about if political leaders really want it to. As Mr Windsor says, giving away land has usually heaped more opprobrium on to Israel for her troubles. Seeding land does not lead to peace – the right mindset does. JD Milaric, By email
I go to Chai for the big
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This is in addition to all the specialised support and care that we continue to offer our clients through telephone, Skype & Zoom.
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Together we can cope. Together we will care.
BOARD RIGHT
Israeli president Isaac Herzog has condemned the Board of Deputies for having the temerity – read ‘backbone’ – to tell Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich to sling his hook because of his anti-Arab, antiLGBT and anti-Progressive Jews views.
Perhaps he could take a leaf out of his father’s book. In 1984, President Chaim Herzog refused to meet Meir Kahane – as is customary for the head of state after a general election – because of the latter’s views, which are not dissimilar to Smotrich’s.
Would Isaac have condemned his father in the same way as he did the Board of Deputies? I think not. Joe Millis, By email I’d hoped we had seen the last of Jeremy Corbyn after his election debacle, but he is still interfering.
When Israel is embroiled in a war, the Stop the War Coalition is first in organising marches. With the Ukraine/Russia disaster, it can only come up with a small meeting.
Corbyn showed little empathy with Ukraine. Because of that, a man in the auditorium stood up waving a Ukrainian flag, shouting: “Why aren’t you protesting outside the Russian embassy?” There was no solidarity with President Zelensky.
It’s time Corbyn and his hypocritical cronies were consigned to the dustbin of history. Robert Dulin, Bricket Wood
HYPOCRITES
Hen Mazzig, who describes himself as a strong Zionist and a lover of Israel, doesn’t like Israelis, such as Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich, who were voted in by thousands of Israelis because they side with the Torah against Hen’s choice of lifestyle.
Contrary to his article, Judaism is monolithic, although there are those who have veered from the Torah. Everyone is entitled to make choices, but not to describe those who have made other choices as hateful demagogues.
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner condemns him for the same reasons and claims that Jews here have rejected Smotrich outright. This is categorically false; Torah Jews embrace his values. Ann Cohen, Golders Green
JEWISH NEWS PEACE?ADVICE ONLINE EDITOR
Jewish News (Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year 2021/22) is looking for an ambitious, passionate and creative online editor to take its ever-growing brand to the next level. As online editor you will be responsible for:
• Maintaining the timeliness, impact and quality of jewishnews.co.uk • Managing the homepage, writing enticing must-click headlines and writing and editing web content. • Editing and publishing our Daily Newsletter, delivered to 20,000 inboxes every a ernoon. • Responding to breaking news and developing stories in real time. • Compiling picture galleries and video content and ensuring the weekly podcast, newspaper page turner and supplements are uploaded. • Ensuring newspaper content is online and feeding online content into the newspaper. • Managing an extensive list of Jewish News bloggers. • Tracking and analysing website tra ic. • Promoting content on social media in an engaging way to drive web tra ic. • Updating the site out-of-hours when necessary.
We’re looking for someone with at least three years editorial experience who can write crystal-clear news and feature copy to tight deadlines. Experience in Photoshop and content management systems preferable.
Sounds like you? Then email your CV and a covering letter to the editor atrichard@jewishnews.co.uk. Closing date: Friday 11th March.
