I’m a visibly Jewish man who lives in Norwich. On the morning before Passover, I walked out the front door of my home and encountered two Green Party activists pushing pamphlets into mail slots in our courtyard.
I took a look at the brochure that had just been popped into my door and approached the pair to express my distaste for the current Green Party and why I find it offensive to me as a proud and unapologetic Jew.
In the course of our brief exchange, I emphasised the Green Party's demonisation of Zionism (about which they knew very little) and of Israel (about which they knew even less).
One of the canvassers simply smiled a bit sheepishly during this curious conversation and seemed not a little lost. The other, however, was more verbal and took it upon himself to Jewsplain to me that “Zionism isn't Jewish or even the same as Judaism.” At this point, you can probably visualise my right eyebrow lifting involuntarily in surprise. Did I mention that I was wearing a kippah?
The gentleman then decided to ask my thoughts on Gaza. Before I could respond with a coherent answer, he assured me with confidence that “Zionism” is in charge of the situation in Gaza and utterly responsible for everything that is happening there.
Feeling my anger rising, I asked if he had ever heard of October 7. That was the moment at which this zealous Green Party volunteer let slip his true opinion and stated boldly: “I believe 7 October is a hoax.”
At this, I had enough. With commendable restraint, I told them: “We're done here and don't put Green trash in my door ever again." I added with emphasis: “Because it's going straight into the bin.”
My interlocutor muttered something under his breath and the two headed off into the street to continue their pamphlet peddling on behalf of Zack Polanski's Green Party.
As I headed out to finish my Pesach shopping, I reflected upon my experience as a visible Jew in the UK over the past year.
I need not mention the growing sense of alienation that has resulted from the words and actions (or inactions) of this current government and its treatment of the world's sole and vanishingly tiny Jewish state, including the recognition of a “Palestinian state” as a punitive measure against Israel; or its fecklessness in the face of recurring massive pro-Gaza demonstrations in the streets of London and incitement against “Zionists”.
We are all too familiar with this depressing and growing evidence that there is no future for Jews in Britain.
Rather, I remembered being personally confronted by “pro-Gaza” activistas whilst shopping in my favourite grocery. Especially memorable was the limp reaction of that chain's senior management to the incident, during which I was accused of being a “babykiller” and one of the activists repeatedly yelled “Free ‘Palestine’!” in my face, eager to catch a reaction on their smartphone. Remember that commendable restraint I mentioned earlier? It's had quite a bit of exercise in recent times.
Now, on this day before Pesach 5786, one of Zack Polanski's minions, an October 7 denier and conspiracy theorist took it upon himself to lecture to an observant, kippah-wearing Jewish man in front of his very home.
And it occurred to me that, in the current political climate of voter fatigue with Labour and the Conservatives, Polanski's Green Party with its curious yet predictable and disturbing alliances stands a chance of winning, or at least of becoming a formidable sociopolitical influence in this country.
“Next year in Jerusalem,” with which we concluded the Seder last week, is no dream. It's an authentic Jewish response and plan of action, and one that will become more urgent, I believe, with every passing Passover in this country.
To get more from opinion, click here to sign up for our free Editor's Picks newsletter.