Conflict in the Middle East and recent attacks targeting Jewish communities have led to heightened feelings of vulnerability and shifts in identity among British Jews, with a growing generational divide emerging over views on Israel.
Hate crimes and antisemitism
“It’s been an incredibly difficult two years,” says Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. “I think our Jewish identity is being worn far more heavily these days given the pain of it all.”
The attacks of October 7 were felt personally, with British Jews killed and others taken hostage. The subsequent war in Gaza and the surrounding vitriol culminated in deadly attacks, adding to the distress.
The shooting at Bondi Beach last weekend, targeting the Jewish community during Hanukkah, and the attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, alongside events in the Middle East, have had far-reaching repercussions for Britain’s estimated 300,000 Jews.
A pronounced inflection point
Since the 1967 war, it is hard to think of such a pronounced inflection point for British Jewish society, one that has so clearly affected daily lives. There have been shifts in how secure many feel, and how connected they feel to the rest of the community.
Ben Dory, 33, from London, says he has become more involved with the Jewish community and more active in campaigning against antisemitism. Some Jewish people are now keeping their kippah (skull cap) hidden until inside the synagogue, he says.
Following the Bondi Beach attack, Dory said he was “horrified, but not surprised,” noting a pattern of “global frenzy of antisemitism.”
There were 1,543 hate crimes targeted at Jewish people in England and Wales in the year to March 2023, rising to 3,282 by March 2024, according to the Home Office. The Community Security Trust reports that antisemitic incidents in the UK are at their highest level since records began.
Dame Louise Ellman, a former MP, says she has never felt as vulnerable as a Jew as she does now, a feeling replicated among many in the Jewish community. She was deeply affected by the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, where she has a long connection.
Zionism: a generational divide
Data from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) suggests a generational divide in views on Israel. In the 20-30 age group, only 47% identify as “Zionist,” while 20% identify as “non-Zionist” and 24% as “anti-Zionist.”
The proportion of those identifying as anti-Zionist has increased across all age groups, but the gap between older and younger groups is widening.
Robert Cohen, a PhD student at King’s College London, has researched British Jews critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. He believes their views stem from a combination of “British Jewish ethics” and “Gen Z sensibilities.”
Some suggest a lack of direct connection with the Holocaust may also contribute to the generational split.
‘My friend group turned away from me’
Lavona Zarum, 21, a student from London, found herself isolated after the October 7 attacks. She recalls friends distancing themselves from her.
She has since found support within the Jewish community and visited Israel through a fellowship, where she encountered nuanced discussions despite differing opinions.
About 1,200 people were killed when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and more than 250 were taken hostage. Since then, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military action, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Tash Hyman, 33, a theatre director from London, feels more connected to her Jewishness but does not feel greater support for Israel, believing Israel’s actions make her less safe.
Discord within the Board
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has faced internal questions about how to debate Israel. In early 2024, 36 members signed a letter protesting against the current Israeli government and its failure to free hostages, leading to the suspension of five members.
Phil Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of addressing antisemitism and celebrating the contributions of Jews to British life, acknowledging that recent events have made it harder to feel positive.
Robert Cohen predicts that the situation in the Middle East and the rights afforded to Palestinians will determine whether the generational divide over Israel widens. Ben Dory believes the future of Jewish people in the UK is “on a real knife edge,” and how Britain responds will be crucial for their safety.
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