'Baddiel’s challenge is to people who are fighting against homophobia, disablism, transphobia and, particularly, racism.' Photo: Book cover of Jews Don’t Count, by David Baddiel
Jews Don’t Count, by David Baddiel
Author: David Baddiel. Review by Tony Stoller
Many Quakers feel uncomfortable when approaching the issue of anti-Semitism. This year there have been firm statements from Friends House condemning the activities of the Israeli government, but nothing specifically about the increasingly violent incidents of anti-Semitism in this country. It is almost as if some Quakers feel that Jews in Britain deserve what they are getting. Can you imagine advancing such an argument regarding Islamophobia? That the appalling actions of the Syrian or Saudi governments are a justification for attacks on Muslims? Yet Quakers were largely silent when shouts of ‘Kill the Jews, rape their daughters’, were heard in Golders Green and elsewhere.
David Baddiel reflects this concern when he asserts that ‘left-leaning, progressive’ people in this country fail Jews by inaction. He expresses his revulsion at the idea that Jews don’t need protection ‘because they are rich’, and at the consequent anti-Semitism that arises from anti-capitalism (which so disfigured the Labour Party in its Corbyn years). For a book written by a humourist, the jokes are few on the ground and always bitter: when one Jew says ‘We’re Jews, they hate us’, another corrects them: ‘We’re Jews, they hate us, but don’t make a fuss’.
Baddiel gives many disturbing examples of where the natural approach of liberal-minded people is not being applied to the Jewish community. When he challenged then shadow home secretary Diane Abbott over the abuse which MP Luciana Berger had suffered, her response was that any such abuse was unacceptable. Baddiel argues that this is just as discriminatory as those who undermine ‘Black Lives Matter’ by replacing it, and thereby minimising it, with ‘All Lives Matter’.
Jews Don’t Count is a polemic. It is brutal and assertive, disdaining nuance or compromise. Many thoughtful Jews consider its arguments overdone. One leading rabbi has noted theological shortcomings in Baddiel’s exposition. But all recognise the truthfulness of his myriad examples.
Baddiel’s challenge is to people who are fighting against homophobia, disablism, transphobia and, particularly, racism. He challenges them to acknowledge that Jewish people deserve to be considered alongside all those other minorities.
This book should be essential reading for Friends, to understand the hurt and fear felt by people who live in their midst. On the Quakers in Britain website the only mention of anti-Semitism is a link to ‘How Quakers can tackle Islamophobia’ (truly!) and one comment from an individual Friend. There is no mention of anti-Semitism in the Documents in Advance for Yearly Meeting Gathering, despite the theme of anti-racism. Reflecting on this and other failures, it is regrettably clear that Baddiel’s challenge applies not least to Quakers.
Comments
On my list to read. I can’t help wondering if Baddiel notes or comments on the ‘othering’ of Jewish people who dissent from the narrative of their own establishment. I count several friends (including Friends) among them who experience this as paradoxically and frighteningly anti-semitic. It seems evident to me that the Jewish community in Britain is far from monolithic in its response to the evolution of Zionism. Also that both privilege and oppression have intersections that defy the kind of polarisation many seem to prefer. Honest ‘allyship’ is a more complex challenge than this article seems to recognise…
By Simon C on 30th July 2021 - 13:38
I’m afraid this is something of a straw man review of a straw man book. A book review may not be the place for it, but it would help to have constructive suggestions of what we can do to avoid or lessen pain for both Quaker and non-Quaker Jews. This review suggests it’s a matter of balance as if we could find the ideal proportion of public statements about different oppressed minorities if our anti-racism was sincere.
There are structural reasons for the oppression of minorities and it goes beyond the language of individuals or the balance of public statements. The Society is a lot bigger than quaker.org.uk and I hope a truer picture comes from looking at what our local meetings are doing in our communities to build relationships, practice practical solidarity and address structural injustice.
Non-Jewish Friends have work to do to ensure that Jewish Friends feel safe and welcome and that Jewish non-Quakers see from our actions that we are committed to their safety. I’m thankful that some Jewish Friends have felt able to intervene to try to challenge things that need improving and I hope we all consciously work to make interventions less necessary. We have to do this through action rather than just words.
Baddiel’s argument suggests that if we refer to other types of oppression when talking about anti-Semitism that’s equivalent to saying ‘All lives matter’ in the context of BLM. I believe that’s an irresponsible argument and so in the context of the current discussions on anti-racism in the Society I’m going to take the risk to point out that the statements I made above about the need for change do also apply to other minority groups.
By laurawirtz on 2nd August 2021 - 18:51
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