The Movement for Reform Judaism

I’m a British Jew, as are most of you.  That’s great.  But when Israel was reborn sixty years ago, it wasn’t a great time for British Jews.

Britain had shown ‘serious ambivalence’ towards Israel and continued to do so.  Sixty years later the situation is transformed.  Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are amongst those who have seen to that and we salute them.

Sixty years ago this country was still in the grip of an unhelpful notion of Britishness.  Roast beef was British, salt beef wasn’t.

Today, Britain understands that multiple identities are a welcome reality and Britishness is about values – freedom, democracy, equality, justice, human rights.  That’s also great.  We as Jews have contributed to those values and we as Zionists are completely committed to them.

Some people said we shouldn’t hold this rally because it would provoke counter-demonstrations by our enemies.  They are wrong.  Celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary and celebrating freedom and democracy is what British Jews do.

Some people said ‘don’t go’ because Israel doesn’t yet meet the criteria of the liberal ideal.  They are even more wrong.

Sixty years on, Israel may be a work in progress but who can seriously doubt Israel’s contribution to freedom and democracy, justice and human rights.  Who can seriously doubt that Israel represents the best, the only hope for those precious values across the Middle East.

There is no conflict between being a British Jew and being a Zionist.  Between a total, non-negotiable commitment to the people and land of Israel and its security; and a commitment to freedom and democracy, justice and human rights for all the people of the Middle East, especially the Palestinians.

Israel is a blessing to all the families of the Middle East, a beacon of hope.  Ad meah v’esrim.  Here’s to 120 and beyond.  We go forward from today in celebration of Israel and in celebration of freedom and democracy, equality and human rights, justice and peace.

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