How Jewish are the Milibands?

14 August 2010

/article_images/articledir_12402/6201038/1_listing.jpg

For the first time in over a century, we may soon have a Jewish PM, says Venetia Thompson. But will either Ed or David have the courage to embrace their identity?

Discussing American Jewish identity is of course far easier than discussing British Jewish identity, which has always been more precarious, and arguably never really existed anyway. The Anglo-Jewry is in the midst of a long and enduring identity crisis, far worse than that which Beinart speaks of in the US. As Anthony Julius, author of Trials of the Diaspora, tells me, ‘There is no significant Jewish identity [in the UK] any more.’

Which is why, now, more than ever, it is important that British Jews (whether or not we are religious) try to keep hold of whatever scraps of our identity remain. The Milibands are in a position to inspire younger generations — and they should. Ed should decide to send his anti-Zionist campaigner packing and promote a more constructive view of Israel. David might remember the ‘modern, truthful and confident Polish identity’ he wrote about last year when he visited the new Museum of Polish Jews, and find a way of bringing a confident, proud British Jewish identity to the pinnacle of British politics. I hope that Milibands D. and E. at least care enough to try.

Previous page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

More articles from: Venetia Thompson | this section

Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (1)

Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Post comment

Anthony Makara

August 15th, 2010 8:39am Report this comment

Does it really matter whether the Millibands are Jewish? The more we continue to refer to this, or to Diana Abbott as being a black and female candidate, the more we take the focus away from the candidates persona and policies.

Is there any such thing as a typically Jewish politician? Are we to suggest that a religious culture or ethnic background creates the political mindset?

Otherwise the suggestion is that one can only enter politics dispassionately if one becomes a lapsed Jew?

Post comment