The views of a group of French Jews who are now living in London
As a stereotyped Jewish Frenchman, I love politics. I believe we are lucky enough to live in democratic countries, on both sides of the Channel, and I dare to think that every voice counts.
I am a curious observer of the British political landscape and, even though I do not get always all the subtleties, I find the British sense of democracy fascinating. Come on: a Queen and a democracy! For a French mind, that is quite a step. But it works.
In fact, I deeply respect the Queen, admiring her sense of leadership, and how she keeps the whole country together, as seen during the Scottish referendum. Even if she is not allowed to speak out, she has her ways to make her opinion known. How British, is that?
Some say: we want a Republic with a head of State chosen by the people and I get that. Some say: monarchy costs a lot to the country. To them, I would just reply that they should Google the cost of the French presidency, and compare. But to my French readers, I would like to say: do not worry; I am not becoming a monarchist. I respect an institution that has proven to be so good and positive for this country. We cannot transpose institutions, customs, from a country to another.
I am much more concerned by the alleged rise in antisemitism in the Labour party. I do not believe that in its roots, its nature and philosophy, the Labour party is antisemitic. It has stood side-by-side with the Jewish community since it started. But, as Jonathan Freedland has brilliantly demonstrated that questions should be raised via his articles in The Guardian,
Labour and the Left have an anti-Semitic problem. I am not an expert in politics, but I can compare it to what is happening in the Left in France.
For reasons of human rights, Israel is pinpointed as the new apartheid South Africa. One is allowed to criticise the Israeli government and its politics, of course, but I would feel much more comfortable if the same virtuous indignation was directed towards all the countries in the world where there are issues.
It is very fashionable today to criticise Israel if you consider yourself a left leaning voter, even if it has nothing to do with reality. This drives away many Jews – and non-Jews alike – from the Left, for obvious reasons. Again, I do not pretend to be a political analyst. My personal view is, at least for France, that we haven’t really processed yet all the atrocities committed on both sides during the so-called “events” in Algeria between 1954 and 1962, and part of the Left wants to make teshuva.
There is also a growing Muslim community that experiences difficulties in integration, and sometimes rejection. This community identifies itself with the Palestinians, and sees itself as the victims of oppressors, often claimed as the Israelis, or dare I say, the Jews? There is indeed a strong antisemitic element in criticising Israel; otherwise, there would be part of a worldwide outcry against all injustices.
Now, back to Labour. A little voice whispers in my ears: how convenient it is to unveil all the allegations just a few days before crucial elections? Then again, Ken Livingstone is something different. If tomorrow I read somewhere that he is working undercover for the Tories, I would not be surprised!
But my British friends, be very careful. In France, the only party that has a strong antisemitic background, the Front National, despite the endless efforts of its leader to make it respectable, is not mainstream, even if it finds more support at every election.
Labour is a British mainstream party, an alternative to the Tories in a democratic country where political alternation is part of a healthy system. One cannot judge an entire party because of some black sheep, but one has also to be very careful before entering the booth and make the right choice for the community and for the country. Voting is a fundamental right and a civic duty, which, as a French and European citizen, I am (still) entitled to exercise.
Rabbi Rene Pfertzel, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
