Over the past two years, Jew hatred in the UK has escalated. There is evidence of at best profound two-tier treatment against Jews, and at worst blatant antisemitism, in so many areas of our public life – in schools, in hospitals, in universities, in the court system, in the workplace, in entertainment and in sport.
Against this background, two issues concerning senior politicians and antisemitism have been highlighted by the press in the past week.
The first is the wholly unproven allegation that Nigel Farage made antisemitic comments when he was at school some 50 years ago. The second was that Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake compared Reform UK to the Nazis.
In both cases, what really matters is the current attitude to Jews of the individuals and their parties, and what the policies they advocate concerning addressing the Jew-hating inferno in which we find ourselves, most recently demonstrated by the events outside St John’s Wood Synagogue this past Sunday night, might be.
With regard to Nigel Farage, he does not, as far as I am concerned, have an antisemitic bone in his body. We have recently seen two very senior positions in Reform UK given to Jews by the party leader.
The first, and perhaps less well-known, was his choice of Andrew Reid to be his special adviser and the latter’s co-option to the Reform UK board. Mr Reid has been a very successful businessman and founder of the law firm, Reid Minty.
Comparing Reform to the Nazis sets a dangerous precedent that degrades politicians everywhere - Gary Mond | Reform UK
The second was the appointment as chief adviser on foreign affairs of Alan Mendoza, the chief executive of the Henry Jackson Society.
It is also clear from his speeches on the issue of Jew hatred that Nigel Farage understands the problems and intends to do something about them – unlike the current Labour government and its Conservative predecessor.
Those such as the Guardian who are muck-raking on allegations of 50 years ago do nobody any favours and distract from the truly perilous position that the Jewish community faces today.
The second issue regarding Kevin Hollinrake is in an altogether different league. First, it relates to current behaviour and its contents are not in doubt.
It is, in essence, comparing Reform UK to the Nazis. For Kemi Badenoch to make light of it degrades her massively in the esteem of many people – Jews and non-Jews alike. It is, for me and many other Jews, a comment that should have led to Hollinrake being fired.
Perhaps Mr Hollinrake needs reminding what happened to the Jews of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s – segregation, persecution, confiscation of assets, deportation and extermination.
Indeed, my own grandmother and two aunts were murdered by the Nazis, simply because they were Jewish. To even begin to make any kind of comparison of Reform UK to the Nazis lowers the entire reputation of political life and degrades politicians everywhere.
Mr Hollinrake should quietly reflect on what he has done and fall on his sword.
In conclusion, actions speak louder than words. The Jewish community wants to see policies that will vigorously tackle Jew hatred. Yet there is nevertheless a responsibility to use words, especially when they relate to the most vile political movement in history, with great care.
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