Referendum and where democracy really lies
One can sympathise with Izzy Lenga’s heartfelt wish for a second referendum and, perhaps a little contradictorily, “to cling to democratic ideals with vigour” (Why, as a Jew, I demand a People’s Vote, JC September 21). Rightly, she says that the EU’s origins were concerned with peace and beneficial trade agreements between its partners.
Unfortunately, its very success is beginning to prove its downfall. Undemocratically elected bureaucrats decided prematurely and relentlessly to embark on their seed programme of federalisation. This is resulting in a financially, economically and politically corrupting European behemoth, reflected in their largesse salaries, pensions and perks. Even within its first few years, the chief protagonists, Germany and France, breached their own fiscal regulations with impunity.
While some Jewish people, and Israel, have benefited modestly, the EU project has started to wreak havoc on Southern European countries, notably Greece and increasingly Spain and Italy. These self-same policies have triggered extremism, including antisemitism. A babylon of hostile voices has arisen.
The general failure of governments to adequately regulate globalised companies and bring to account those responsible for the massive and persistent fallout from the financial crash of 2008 has markedly accentuated such trends. All this happened long before Brexit. Simply staying in the EU as currently constructed will cause increasingly serious distortions in our own economic, financial and political system. Soon a £50 billion Brexit fee will feel like small change.
The UK has tried to suggest reforms without success. Even after 70 years of existence, the EU is still reluctant to pay a fair share towards its own military protection. Miss Lenga concludes: “No one voted to be poorer…” Actually, they did. We did — by accepting that there would be an inevitable, short-term disruption in economic activity before it was sorted out. That this is turning out to be unnecessarily prolonged is more to do with our timid dithering government and opposition parties and the antagonisms of a threatened EU. We need to get on with the job. Now, that is something worth demanding.
Dr Stanley Jacobs
London SW18
With regard to the call for a “People’s Vote” on Brexit, we have already had one — with Leave gaining 51.9 per cent of the vote.
In the present context, the term “People’s Vote” bears the same resemblance to an actual democratic vote as the term “People’s Democracy” bore to an actual democratic country, back in the days of the Soviet Union.
Those advocating a second referendum seem to be largely motivated by a desire to stretch Brexit negotiations off into the distance, until they finally lose steam.
As for the claim that the European Union has been “good for Jews”; politics on the continent seems to have taken a turn away from the conventional parties — France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, etc, all showing the rise of alternative parties, many with links to the far-right (and some opposed to EU membership). The one major country where this does not seem to have happened is this one, although admittedly that may be because most of the potential members of such a party are now moving to Labour.
Mind you, there is a faction within the Labour Party pressing Corbyn to support a call for a second vote. It seems that politics really does make strange bedfellows.
Peter Davey
Bournemouth
Corbyn’s anti-Zionism
It was puzzling, confusing, irritating and worrying to read Daniel Finkelstein’s effort to explain Jeremy Corbyn’s point of view about Zionism (Seeing the world from Corbyn’s point of view, JC, September 21). Many people would prefer to put Corbyn’s attitude down to sheer antisemitic, racist nastiness.
If Corbyn regards Zionism as colonial oppression then he is indeed ignorant. Much of the land that forms present-day Israel was legally purchased from Ottoman and Arab landlords, starting in the late 19th century and continuing until the foundation of Israel in 1948. Perhaps Corbyn should be told!
Joe Hayward,
Stanmore, Middlesex
Helpline for the abused
Following your report (Cash cuts put sex victims at risk, JC, September 21) we would like to make your readers aware of Shema Koli (literally “Hear My Voice”), which, since 2013, has been providing an anonymous and professional telephone helpline service to victims of sexual abuse — and any other forms of abuse — from the Jewish community across the UK. In the past five years we have supported more than 650 callers, many of whom have never found the courage to speak up about their experiences or even understood that they have been abused. Our highly-trained operators provide non-judgmental support, listening, and safety advice to individuals, parents, professionals, rabbis, headteachers and therapists, and we signpost callers for further help, advocacy, counselling and assessment to many partner services within the statutory and voluntary sectors.
From our close partnership with national abuse charity, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (and their helpline Stop It Now!), we have researched and understood the crucial importance of abuse prevention through education and early intervention, investing young people with the skills they need to stay safe in an increasingly challenging world. In the past year, in collaboration with Tahel Crisis Centre for Religious Women and Children in Jerusalem, we have pioneered a national train-the-trainer programme for teachers in primary schools. Our safeguarding workshops — which attracted National Lottery Funding — have reached 20 schools in North London, Manchester and Gateshead, with parallel seminars for some 1,000 parents and school leaders. The interactive and child-centred workshops are delivered by schools to their own pupils from Early Years to Year 6 in a way that respects the school’s ethos, and equips them with key safety skills that protect them from potential abusers.
For more information please visit www.shemakoli.org, email info@shemakolihelpline.org or call our helpline on 020 3670 1818.
Aviva Cohen
Shema Koli
Ice-cold toast to Succot
The etrog, described as the fruit of the goodly tree (in Leviticus), probably originated from the Far East.
One of the many enjoyable things associated with the festival of Succot at our synagogue (EHRS) is the appearance of the “etrovka” at the kiddush in the succah.
This delectable schnapps has been made by Rabbi Neil Kraft for more than 15 years, using high-proof vodka infused for years with the rind of etrogim.
The exact recipe is secret but the resultant etrovka, served ice cold, is an excellent way to celebrate Succot in the right spirit.
Kay Bagon
Radlett, Herts
Glaring miss
Lovely story (At 102, our Vera proves a match for any mascot, JC, September 21) about legendary Man City fans Vera Cohen and Olga Halon. What a shame you couldn’t get the picture caption correct. Olga was pictured with Fernandinho, not the magician that is David Silva.
Perhaps your sub-editor is a recalcitrant Man Utd fan? Lord knows you have enough of them down there!
Stewart Tray,
Manchester
