FT Discovers British Jews Exist, One-Sided Narratives Persist
The FT muses on how British Jews perceive Israel as 'more important — and less desirable — than ever,' implying a complex, unprompted evolution of thought. This narrative conveniently sidesteps the decades of coordinated efforts by groups like the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD), which regularly aligns with the Israeli government, often with significant financial backing. For instance, the
BoD publicly endorsed former PM Netanyahu's policies in 2021 as 'necessary steps for Israel's security', effectively framing Israeli government actions as representative of widespread Jewish sentiment. One might wonder if this perceived 'importance' is a natural outgrowth of deeply held convictions, or perhaps, the carefully cultivated result of institutions spending significant resources to
ensure unwavering support for Israeli governmental policy. The FT manages to discuss British Jewish sentiment without once addressing the organized lobbying, public relations, and political pressure exerted by pro-Israel organizations within the UK, which actively shape the very 'importance' they're ostensibly observing. It's a bit like reporting on a chess match by only observing the pieces move,
while ignoring the players and their strategy.