In a recent session in the House of Lords, a Home Office minister declined to respond to what was described as a "deeply inappropriate" inquiry regarding British Jews and their connection

to the Israeli government.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon, an independent crossbench peer and notable journalist, posed the question to Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom. Singh queried whether it would be beneficial for British Jews to publicly distance themselves from the policies of the Israeli government, particularly concerning actions in Gaza.

Lord Singh emphasized the potential benefits for the image and security of the Jewish community in the UK if they were to denounce certain actions of the Netanyahu government, citing concerns over reported atrocities and humanitarian crises. However, Lord Sharpe dismissed the question as inappropriate and declined to address it.

Labour frontbencher Baroness Sherlock intervened, asserting that British Jews should not be held accountable for the actions of the Israeli state any more than she should be for those of her own country. This sentiment was echoed by Conservative peer Baroness Altmann, who emphasized that the British Jewish community bears no responsibility for the actions of a foreign government.

The discussion took place within the context of deliberations on measures to enhance the safety of London's Jewish community amidst a concerning rise in antisemitic incidents. Reference was made to recent footage released by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, revealing instances of discrimination against Jews during protests.

The refusal of the Home Office minister to engage with the question underscores the complexities surrounding discussions of identity, responsibility, and international politics within the UK's diverse and multifaceted society. Photo by Chris McAndrew, Wikimedia commons.