As the general election approached, Jewish communities in London voiced concerns about how the new government leadership would impact them.
With polls showing that the general election results in constituencies with large Jewish communities are leaning towards Labour, Rabbi Levi Schapiro, founder of the Jewish Community Council, expressed his desires for the changes needed under the new UK government administration.
Schapiro said: ” The General Election means the opportunity for change for Jewish communities.
“Regardless of your voting preferences, if someone becomes the new Prime Minister and asks what they can do for your community, I would immediately suggest accommodating the welfare needs of the strictly Orthodox Jewish community. ”
Schapiro mentioned that many Jewish communities in London have lots of children and need additional help as they work to support their families.
He urged the next government to offer a helping hand to the Jewish community’s welfare.
According to the Office for National Statistics, over 287,000 people identify as Jewish in England and Wales from Census 2021, and more than 50% of them live in London.
Amy Lazarus, 39, originally from South Africa, is a new immigrant who moved to Golders Green eight months ago.
She hoped the country would elect someone who supported and respected Jewish people, rather than forming opinions based solely on personal biases.
Jam, 25, originally from Israel, works in a butcher shop in Golders Green.
Jam said: “I feel like London is no longer the place I consider home.
“Eight years ago, when I came to London, everyone seemed to get along like a family, regardless of whether they were Jewish or not.
“The way the UK government treats Israel, I don’t think they sympathize with Israelis.”
Jam hoped the new Prime Minister will bring people together again, regardless of their religion.
The issue of anti-Semitism was another important factor that will influence the voting decision of Jewish people for the party.
Russell Langer, Director of Public Affairs of The Jewish Leadership Council, explained: “Since the October 7th attack [Hamas attack on Israeli citizens], there have been skyrocketing levels of anti-Semitism.
“Jewish people will be looking for the next government to take action against the tide of hatred and to develop and implement a proper combating strategy.”
Langer emphasised that the Jewish community will expect the next government to be more supportive and to uphold the values of freedom of religion and belief in the country.
He hoped that either political party would ensure continued support for the security of the Jewish community.
He added: “Both parties have confirmed that if they come into power after the election, they will continue the prospective security grant for the Jewish community, which is deeply appreciated.”
When discussing the potential voting behaviour in the upcoming general election, Langer raised the issue of the anti-Semitism controversy surrounding the Labour Party in 2019.
He said: “In the 2019 general election, there was a deeply fractured relationship between the Jewish community and the Labour Party, and a lot has been done in the years since then.
“I don’t know how Jewish people are going to vote in the upcoming election, but what I can say is that there is a definite feeling in the community that the fear that existed in 2019 regarding the Labour Party does not exist anywhere near that level.”
Langer believed that international issues would also influence voting patterns.
He said: “People will be voting based on many issues, including domestic matters.
“When it comes to the current conflict and the UK’s relationship with Israel, Jewish people will be voting for a party who does not single out the world’s Jewish state and treats Israel fairly in the international arena.
“The incoming government should refrain from using this conflict to further divide communities, instead they should adopt a mature approach and work with our allies to ensure that this international conflict is not exploited for domestic political gains.”
Featured image credit: Oxyman licenced under Creative Commons
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