Fearing extreme dangers

We are keenly aware of the danger posed to British Jews by jihadist terrorism, Islamist extremism and the levels of antisemitism within Muslim communities. This has shaped much of our work over many years, but we object to Melanie Phillips’s article (Don’t fall for bogus claims of ‘Islamophobia’, December 13) in which she describes “Islamophobia” as “profoundly anti-Jew”. 

We know how hurtful it is when people claim that allegations of antisemitism are just a smear to silence any and all criticism of Israel, or when they say they oppose genuine Jew-hatred before then picking apart the word “antisemitism” as if implying that no such thing really exists. Essentially, Phillips’s article did just that, but there is plenty of survey evidence showing that anti-Muslim prejudice is widespread in this country, and it is clear that Islamists’ use of “Islamophobia” has not somehow resulted in “the Islamic world” escaping criticism, regardless of how fair or harsh that criticism may be.   

Meanwhile, we have just come through a bruising election campaign that showed the appalling extent to which antisemitism is now part of mainstream politics. Whatever the shortcomings of the words “antisemitism” and “Islamophobia”, both problems are very real; combating them is made much harder when one is pitted against the other. 

Marie van der Zyl President, Board of Deputies of British Jews
Jonathan Goldstein Chair, Jewish Leadership Council
David S. Delew Chief Executive, Community Security Trust

Melanie Phillips is right to indicate that antisemitism and Islamophobia are not identical phenomena, but her apparent attempt to downplay Muslim concerns is counter-productive. There is a genuine rise in fear among both Muslims and Jews, in part driven by a rise in incidents of hate crimes against both communities. It is to the detriment of both Muslim and Jewish communities to be pitted against each other in any form of competitive victimhood. Our role as active British citizens is to build bridges and to hold challenging conversations about our differences. 

The election, thankfully, is over. Now the real work begins. 

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner
Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism

As the only national network of Jews and Muslims in the UK, we know only too well that Islamophobia and antisemitism are not the same.  The  history, genesis, and tropes are different for each form of identity based hatred including hatred of Jewish and of Muslim people. We know too that anti Zionism and antisemitism have become entwined or confused, often deliberately and very effectively. Language used against Jews is indeed abominable and damaging. 

Other than recognising this, Melanie Phillips’ article falls down in every way;  firstly in its use of stereotype. Negative references to ‘the Palestinians’, or ‘the Islamic world’ are prejudiced, generalised and offensive.  

In addition, negating Islamophobia belies the reality for many British Muslims and indeed, denial of its existence is in itself Islamophobic (just like denial of antisemitism). Next, to suggest a hierarchy of victimhood helps no one — all prejudice is painful and dangerous.   

Finally, to blame those who call out Islamophobia for antisemitism is truly pernicious. The current political landscape is exacerbating divisions between Jews and Muslims. What does the JC gain by publishing this article which is likely to encourage more fear and hatred of our Muslim neighbours at a time when they need our support the most?

Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal MBE DL, Nisa-Nashim chair, 
Laura Marks OBE, Nisa-Nashim co-founder,
and six other signatories

Trump is Israel’s loyal friend

If a President walks like a friend of Israel, swims like a friend of Israel and waddles like a friend of Israel, it is probably a good bet that he is a friend of Israel (Leader, December 13).

President Trump, despite being brave enough to move his nation’s embassy to Jerusalem, appoint strongly pro-Israel ambassadors to the UN and Israel, repeatedly praise Israel and block anti-Israel motions, have Jewish grandchildren of whom he is openly proud, and pass legislation to protect Jews on American campuses when he does not rely on Jews to stay in power, nor have too many Jews in his administration, is still considered by the JC as an antisemite.

President Trump can be coarse in his language and behaviour, but Prime Minister Netanyahu and ex-Ambassador Nikki Haley both describe the US President as a true and loyal friend of Israel, which is more than can be said for his smooth-talking predecessor, the darling of the left, who, in his last days in office, sold Israel down the river. 

If President Trump is an antisemite, I pray other world leaders are, too.

Daniel Baum
London NW4 

Missing votes

There was a collective sigh of relief when the election results came through.

However, the constituency that represents me, Blackley and Broughton, had such a low voter turnout that, of the country’s 650 constituencies only Hull and Chorley fared worse. It is disappointing that so many in our community didn’t feel the need to go and vote.

Annette Neumann, 
Salford

Female talmudic tale

The headline, Talmud isn’t just for men (JC, December 13), and the article about women studying Talmud reminded me of an incident in my past which may interest present-day readers. 

One Shabbat, in the 1960s, my rabbi very proudly announced that Project Seed was coming to Ilford in six week’s time.  So, every Shabbat for six weeks, he made this same announcement. On the appointed day, I bought myself a new exercise book and presented myself at the shool, excited at the new prospect of learning Talmud. 

I was met by a very apologetic rabbi with the words: “I am sorry, Renee, but it is only for men.”   I replied. “But why, in the six weeks that you made the announcement, you never once said that it was only for men?” 
He replied: “I never thought that any woman would  be interested”.

Does this tell us something about the rabbi, or his congregation? Onward and upward!

Renee Bravo 
London, E18

Sir Keith’s cabinet kiddush

Sir Keith Joseph (JC, December 13) was a member of Chelsea Synagogue. 

If he turned up on Shabbat, we knew there was about to be a reshuffle. It never failed.

Peter Rhodes
lordyrhodes@yahoo.co.uk

Fiddler

I’m afraid Topol’s memory is playing him false. He says he remembers opening in London in 1965. The first night was in February 1967.

I was there.

It was unforgettable and Topol was brilliant. In fact, there were too many fine performances to recount but I particularly recall Miriam Karlin as his wife exerting herself to shrug off her television role of a bolshie trade union shop steward, and poor, downtrodden Mottel-the-tailor who wins at last - played by none other than Jonathan Lynn who has gone into performing arts history as director of My Cousin Vinnie and co-writer of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

Jeffrey Littman
London NW4