Venetia Thompson

How Jewish are the Milibands?

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?

At last Britain’s Jewish community has something to celebrate. Not since Disraeli has Britain had a Jewish Prime Minister (although let’s not forget that Disraeli was a practising Christian); now we have not one, but two bright, young, attractive Jewish boys running for the Labour leadership. The Miliband brothers have left every Jewish mother in the country wondering if either of them is single.

But we shouldn’t start dancing the hora just yet: both the Miliband brothers seem to be having a bit of an identity crisis: are they Jewish? Jew-ish? Ethnically Jewish atheists? Does it even matter? Apparently so, or neither brother would have bothered commenting on their ‘identity’ and no questions would have been asked. David has said recently that, though he considers himself atheist, ‘being Jewish must have an influence on the way I think. I am the child of Jewish immigrants and that is a very important part of my identity … if you try to analyse where I stand politically, it would be very difficult to do so without reference to my roots.’

When David was made Foreign Secretary many were quick to draw attention to the possible implications of his Jewish background, which, as the BBC commented, would be ‘noted particularly in the Middle East. Many Israelis and Jews around the world will welcome the fact that someone with his dramatic family history has made it into the high offices in British and world diplomacy.’

It is impossible to say whether his Jewish background and ‘dramatic family history’ influenced his decisions regarding Israel. As Foreign Secretary, he deftly navigated the dove-hawk divide, rarely revealing his personal views. Most telling were his powerful words at the patrons’ dinner of the UJIA (United Jewish Israel Appeal — a charity that supports young people and education in Israel and the UK) in 2008.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in