Anyone who proclaims with certainty that they know what 2015 holds is either a fool or a liar. But one thing we do know is that there will be new governments in both Israel and the UK. As for the results, however… your guess is as good as anyone’s.
It may be that, this time next year, both incumbent Prime Ministers remain in situ. We may perhaps be talking about two Labour PMs, Herzog and Miliband. Or possibly even other names. With both the UK and Israeli political systems in such flux, stranger things have happened.
It is, of course, for Israelis to decide on their government. We in the diaspora may have our own views about the outcome we favour but it would be impertinent to expect Israelis to consider that when casting their vote.
Our own election in May, however, is a different matter. While issues of specific Jewish concern may not even be uppermost in most Jews’ minds, let alone among the wider electorate, a Miliband government is likely to lead to a fundamental change in our country’s relationship with Israel.
During the Gaza war, the Labour leader was quick to attack Israel — and to attack the Prime Minister for not attacking Israel. Israel has many true friends in the upper echelons of the Labour Party, such as Ed Balls and Rachel Reeves. But it is nonetheless difficult to avoid the conclusion that, with Ed Miliband as PM and Douglas Alexander as foreign secretary, the UK would no longer be a genuine friend of Israel when the chips are down. It is a sobering thought that this could be the new political reality within barely more than four months.
Even closer to home, there will also be new leadership for the Board of Deputies, with the election of a new president and new officers. We have some idea of the likely candidates — Jonathan Arkush, Alex Brummer and Laura Marks — but there is a feeling that other, less widely touted names may also join the fray. Above all else, what matters is that deputies get to choose between as talented a group as the position of president can attract. For all its failings, the Board — and its leadership — matters.
