It is time to join forces to combat the international network of activism that seeks to Delegitimise Israel – and
which has London has its Hub of Hubs
Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag
The closing weeks of last year saw the publication of reports by leading international think-tanks based in Israel. These present most disturbing findings identifying London as the centre –the Hub of Hubs - of an extraordinary powerful international network of forces ranged against Israel seeking to delegitimise Israel in five different spheres of operation - academia, politics, media, churches and trade unions. The Reut Institute’s widely researched study Building a political firewall against the Assault on Israel’s legitimacy; London as a Case Study was followed by an in depth study of the same problem by the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs - Mapping Delegitimisation.
I believe that the findings of these two works demand a response from us – the Jewish community of the UK; the friends, promoters and defenders of Israel in the UK.
Now, it would be possible for us to briefly acknowledge these studies and then pass on by. But is that really how we should be reacting? There is an international crisis, centring in the UK on our doorstep in London, that affects the cause of Israel, and therefore Jews everywhere, and we merely collectively shrug our shoulders– and say let someone else get on with it.
The Reut Institute have come forward with the recommendation of a very simple, sensible and straightforward suggestion. They would like the pro-Israel forces in the UK to be brought together, forming a so-called Big Tent, so that new forces can be energised, a new grand coalition can emerge which together will start to do the job of better defending Israel.
Now, of course, much good work is already being done in these spheres. High quality professionals and volunteers for a number of pro-Israel organisations are devoting hours and days per week to this cause. Yet, what we can all surely acknowledge is missing,is the opportunity for these smaller groups to be brought together, to work with each other, and to spark off each other, to energise each other; and thus to move the whole operation forward, in a mass coordinated fashion.
It is for these reasons that I and others have begun working on a proposal to do just that, to organise a Big Tent for Israel, a day’s gathering (let us say) which would be a major get together,that would bring the hundreds, if not the thousands, from the community, the friends and defenders of Israel, of whatever stripe or part of the spectrum,for a day - when the issues can be properly aired, debated, considered, and moved towards a new structured future of the defence and promotion of Israel.So that everyone in the community, who has something to give, feels comfortable to come forward and give it.
I believe that a model from recent times in Jewish life suggests itself. The 1970’s and 1980’s when “students andhousewives” (as the KGB put it to Anatoly Scharansky), were mobilised and joined forces to defeat the evil empire that was the Soviet Union.
Does the current threat to Israel and to the Jewish people, from the anti-Semitic forces of Islamism, not demand,likewise, the co-opting and the mobilising of the average concerned Jew to come together, to devote time, and to get involved, and to begin to feel that their voice matters, their efforts can make a difference?
We are planning something new, something big, something that will reach out and involve every member of the Jewish community and friend of Israel and Jewish people. So please join with us as we move forward with this timely and vital project
References
1. The report of the Reut Institute Building a political firewall against the Assault on Israel’s legitimacy; London as a Case Study http://www.reut-nstitute.org/data/uploads/PDFver/20101219%20London%20Case%20Study.pdf
2. Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs an in depth study of the London problem
mappingdelegitimisation http://www.jcpa.org/text/Mapping_Delegitimization.pdf
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