The JC Letters Page, 31st August 2018

Tim Friedman

Leeds LS17

Despite the astonishing number of occasions on which Jeremy Corbyn has attended “peace” meetings and conferences with the leaders of competing Palestinian factions dedicated to the  destruction  of Israel, he reiterates his support for a two state solution. Could it be that he intends one for Hamas and the other for Fatah?

Dr Barry Hoffbrand

London  N6

If, indeed, Jeremy Corbyn and his antisemitic  ilk do become responsible for a mass immigration of diaspora Jews to Israel it would only serve to strengthen Israel demographically, economically and probably geographically.  So we can soon expect him to become cursed rather than welcomed by his terrorist “friends”.

Dr Stanley Jacobs

London SW18

I wonder why we have not heard a word from Ed Miliband about the Corbyn antisemitism fiasco. Surely he has a view. Perhaps he agrees with Corbyn. Perhaps he is too afraid to say anything, having got the Labour Party into its current mess by standing against his brother David in that sad leadership election. He paved the way for Corbyn.

Tell us what you think about Corbyn’s antisemitism, Ed.

Peter Phillips

Loudwater, Herts.

Lyn Julius (The Jewish exodus which Corbyn ignores, JC, August 24) correctly maintains that a distinction exists between Jews and Zionists and describes how Jews can become vulnerable when the two are conflated.

This should be noted by the prominent voices in our community who, in attempting to protect Israel from demonisation, have publicly stated that “Zionism is a fundamental and inalienable part of what it is to be Jewish,” and are insisting that unfair criticisms levelled against Israel, the realisation of political Zionism, are manifestations of Jew hatred.

If our rabbis claim Zionism is synonymous with Judaism and our lay leaders fervently espouse that an attack against Israel constitutes an attack against all Jews, can we expect those intent on protesting against Israel not to attack Jewish people and institutions in this country? This attitude and its corresponding notion that anti-Zionism equals antisemitism plays directly into the hands of Hamas and Hezbollah who declare that their struggle is against “the Jews” wherever they are.

David Chesler

Edgware Ha8

Keep the abuser’s Menorah

I am shocked to discover how skewed the beliefs of some within our community are, that they are campaigning for the removal of the Menorah donated by Mendel Levy to Channukah in the Square.

To think that a charity is bigger than its beneficiaries is selfish and wrong. Why should beneficiaries suffer or even lose out? As William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army in 1865, said after being asked about the ethics of accepting charitable donations from questionable sources “The trouble with tainted money is t’aint enough of it!”

And if the concern is that Mr Levy will gain a satisfactory feeling and honour which they find hard to swallow — do they not believe in repentance, which is a fundamental concept of the Torah and Jewish life, so that they wish to slight him off forever?

I implore that they think logically and sensibly, without emotional and irrational factors driving them to such thoughts and views.

Daniel Goldwater

London NW11

School’s out...

The most interesting  query in Hester Abrams’ review of Yale Neeman’s book on kibbutz education (We were the future, JC, August 24)is the last paragraph about limited curricula in reference to the Haredi education.

But the irony is your publication of this review in the week of the GCSE and AL exam results after a decade of deliberate narrowing of subjects range by financial retrenchment and increased severity to gain high marks.

How do grumbles about kibbutz and youth aliyah schools compare with grumbles about British boarding schools?

It would be interesting to know what happened to the kibbutz vocational element, under which every week saw the secondary pupils make an extensive visit to a department of their own and neighbouring kibbutzim and eventually in their senior years do a day’s work in each to learn the elements of the, “family firm,” before their national service.

Comparatively what did, or do, other 18 year olds know of the jobs market since school leaving passed 15/16 to cut unemployment rolls among other things?

Further do we have comparative social service, police and crime figures for how the kibbutz and charedi sectors compare? And with the general population?

Frank Adam

Prestwich M25

We have heard a lot of criticism of the Charedi Yesodey Hatorah Girls Senior School.

Now we have the official details of their GCSE results — and anyone can see that Yesodey Hatorah Girls Senior School is among the top performers.

This is the impartial, genuine, authentic response to the school’s hostile and negative Ofsted report. Let Ofsted think again.

Joseph Feld

joefeld613@gmail.com

Fixated on the MCB

Rather than deal with islamophobia in the Conservative Party, we have instead witnessed a knee-jerk reaction to attack the messenger — our organisation -- rather than deal with the issue at hand (MCB are not in a position to judge Boris, JC, August 17). While John Ware does not condone the comments of Boris Johnson, his attack on the MCB nevertheless emboldens those in denial of islamophobia.

We will not take lectures from someone who has been fixated in his opposition to the MCB and who seems to oppose the idea that British Muslims should have the right to organise themselves democratically.

Our opposition to terrorism and extremism is clear in our statements, as is our desire to build alliances in the fight against bigotry, be it islamophobia or antisemitism.

Nasima Begum

Muslim Council of Britain