Diary
Anglo-Jewry remains strongly attached to Israel
19 July, 2010
A report by the Institute for Jewish Policy (www.jpr.org.uk) has given a remarkable insight into Anglo-Jewry's attitudes towards Israel. On balance, there is a great deal to celebrate. Here are some of the key findings (summarized on page 9):
For 82% of respondents, Israel plays a ‘central’ or ‘important but not central’ role in their Jewish identities. • 90% believe that Israel is the ‘ancestral homeland’ of the Jewish people. • 72% categorize themselves as Zionists; 21% do not see themselves as Zionists,and 7% are unsure. • 87% say that Jews in Britain are part of a global Jewish ‘Diaspora’; just 19% regard Jews outside Israel as living in ‘exile’. •77% of respondents agree that Jews have ‘a special responsibility to support Israel’. • An overwhelming majority (87%) agrees that Jews are responsible for ensuring ‘the survival of Israel’— over half (54%) the non-Zionist respondents also agree.
In one sense, this provides cause for cheer. As the excellent Robin Shepherd points out, the findings are a riposte to those, such as Independent Jewish Voices, who argue that Zionist organisations, like the Board of Deputies, are not representative of the community. A clear majority identifies with Zionism and Israel while most Jews back Israeli measures of self defence, such as Operation Cast Lead. No longer can self indulgent critics of Israel, including those who write in the Guardian, claim to be the true voice of Anglo-Jewry. They are fringe critics.
But the report does throw up some worrying revelations. The most startling revelation was that more than 50% of British Jews believe it is right for Israel to negotiate with Hamas. (This will be the subject of an opinion piece to come soon.) Anglo-Jewry has mixed views on security issues:
Half the sample (50%) agrees that ‘Israeli control of the West Bank (Judea/Samaria) is vital for Israel’s security’, while a sizable minority (40%) disagrees. But a clear majority (55% against 36%) also considers Israel to be ‘an occupying power in the West Bank (Judea/Samaria). Two-thirds (67%) favour giving up territory for peace with the Palestinians with 78% favouring a two state solution. Again, this is all a clear riposte to those who believe that Anglo-Jewry is hawkish when it comes to the peace process.
Do read the entire report - it is truly enlightening.
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