UK Jews divided on Israel

[JackNewtown]

When it comes to discussion of Jewish views on the conflict the discussion rarely extends beyond Israeli and American Jews so I found an article on British Jews interesting. I am not an expert on this matter so I don't have any "opening remark" other than I believe the vast majority of Jews everywhere desire peace in the Middle East. I hope that one day the Jewish people can finally live in a world where they do not have to fear for their survival (for those who think another holocaust can't happen in the near future, see what the fanatics in Iran have been saying. They cannot be trusted with nukes.).

I won't post parts of the article, I'll just post the full link http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1183428.ece

[monarch]

1. Very interesting article!

Here's a snippet:


"It seemed strange to me that Sam, an adored only child, long waited for, born of IVF treatment, would be sent off by his parents into the middle of a terrifying crisis at the heart of the Middle East at a time British tourists were being evacuated from Beirut at the prospect of all-out war between Israel and Hizbollah. But a summer in Israel has become a rite of passage for Jewish teenagers; throughout wars, intifada, peace processes and their breaking down, a steady stream have continued to arrive, the numbers fluctuating according to the political situation. This year, before the deteriorating military situation, participation was at an all-time high, with more than 1,300 British teenagers booked to take part - over 50 per cent of all Britain's Jewish 16-year-olds. Some went with the Orthodox youth group Bnei Akiva, some with Habonim, the socialist Jewish scouts (whose most famous alumnus is Sacha Baron Cohen), some with Netzer, the Reform synagogue youth wing, some with the Federation of Zionist Youth.

"The Sidkins did not send Sam to Israel for a dose of Zionist indoctrination, but because they subscribe to a widespread view in the Jewish community that, as part of a small and rapidly assimilating ethnic minority in the UK, Jewishness can be reinforced by sending your children to the one place where Jews are everywhere. "Here in south London, Sam is mixing with very different people," Sidkin says. "He's very Anglicised, and one of his best friends is Muslim. This summer, he's going to be with people who feel more strongly about Israel than he does - and we want him to find out about his history. We want him to feel proud of being Jewish and his roots, because that's what I find is important in my own life."

When I asked her where she stood on the political spectrum regarding Israel, and what she thought of the recent events in Gaza and Lebanon, Sidkin replied: "I'm not heavily into politics. I watch the news but I don't have very strong views. You'd have to talk to my husband, but he isn't here at the moment."

[DemocraticLeft]

2. Probably as divided as Jews anywhere else in a ratio of 90%:10%