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Marcus Dysch

No firm answers on Brexit? Blame the government, not Jewish communal groups

As the government staggers on amid the almost complete paralysis wrought by the Brexit process, it is not going to expend much capital right now on the potential cost of kosher brisket.

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March 15, 2018 09:34

It is all well and good discussing freedom of movement, customs unions and a hard border with Ireland, but what you really want to know is whether Brexit will make your sausages more expensive, give lots of nasty terrorists an easier time, and leave enough eastern European care workers in this country to keep our care homes open, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, the long-awaited report on how the Jewish community will be affected by our departure from the EU provides few answers.

It would be churlish to blame the Board of Deputies or Jewish Leadership Council for the lack of illumination. As you may have gathered, there is a certain lack of clarity from the government on the matter.

The Jewish groups’ points on what will happen over proscription of terrorists, the continuation of religious practises and liberal trade with Israel once we are out of the EU are all valid and must be answered.

But given the apparent reluctance of Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, and David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, to engage publicly on significant details, we are unlikely to receive many assurances.

As the government staggers on amid the almost complete paralysis wrought by the Brexit process, it is not going to expend much capital right now on the potential cost of kosher brisket.

Two asides which may be of more interest than the document’s contents:

First, I understand some juicier details in the draft version did not make the final publication. One long section drawn up looking at how Brexit could affect Britain’s role in the peace process was cut, presumably on the basis it was too sensitive for public consumption.

Second, the joint work carried out by the Board and JLC on the paper provides some insight into how the two organisations could collaborate in the future. 

It may not signal an imminent full-on merger, but it is another step in the right direction.

March 15, 2018 09:34

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