Antisemitism out- peace in

 Antisemitism out- peace in

The white wintry mists of an early winter day were gathering en masse rather like the ghostly spirits of a haunted house. But this wasn't that kind of a day. It meant so much to so many people that you could have sworn that our faith in human nature had finally been restored. Of course we love our families and friends but here was an afternoon that demonstrated quite clearly that all is well in the human condition. We knew it was an auspicious day because around us over 100,000 people were of like mind and we were together under the same umbrella, the same mindsets and the same temperaments. It was an occasion like no other.

In fact by the end of yesterday afternoon the shrouds of dark clouds seemed to have been metaphorically lifted quite markedly. Here we were bound together by the ties of deeply uplifting solidarity and a real sense of moving camaraderie. We were Jewish and we were united in the midst of suffering and adversity, sympathy and empathy for our fellow Jew. We were proud of our lifelong Jewish identity, the belonging to a race and religion that never allows hatred, intolerance, prejudice or bigotry to ever interfere in the continuing quest for peace, reconciliation and mutual understanding.

We were Jews linked together in a common cause, devoted to our families, wives, girlfriends, cousins, aunts, uncles and those who just want to live together in harmony without being terrified in case bombs, gunfire and destruction wreck our gentle equilibrium. Of course this will never be allowed to happen in the United Kingdom because we are mightier and stronger than they think, a people who cherish their freedoms and privileges. 

Yesterday we witnessed a huge antisemitism march across London and the crowds were just immense, vast multitudes of singing, chanting folks, holding placards and banners, flags and messages of support and succour. Together we met in unison from all four corners of the globe or seemingly so. We emerged from Holborn Tube station in London's West End and walked towards our destination rather like pilgrims searching for the promised land. It would prove to be one of the longest if most rewarding walks we'd ever complete but it was worth every single minute of our Sunday afternoon. 

We met our adorable family, brother in law, sister in law, beautiful members of our extended families and we just kept walking. It seemed certain that at some point during the afternoon that an emotional outpouring of love would just engulf us rather like a warm blanket that embraces the soul. Complete strangers would smile at us in mutual appreciation and recognition. We didn't know them but for one glorious Sunday afternoon they were our kindred spirits. This was a relatable moment, a time for sharing good natured pleasantries and maybe a sweet slice of humour to break the tension.

At first we wandered towards the Strand where perhaps the whole world would greet us although that might be a ridiculous exaggeration. We finally stopped outside what looked like a sandwich shop and cafe, waiting patiently. The march was scheduled for a 1.30 start and, somewhat amusingly, we were still there at roughly 2.00. Now under the circumstances the delay may have been unavoidable since there were so many nationalities, religious groups and inquisitive observers who were just swept along by everything around them, that everything had to be timed to perfection.

So for roughly three quarters of an hour we were crammed together in a corner directly outside the cafe and hemmed in somewhat claustrophobically. There was a slightly disturbing pushing and shoving for a couple of minutes while others sorted out the confusion with orderly organisation being the operative words and intentions. There were those who were understandably concerned for our dog Barney since he was a pup and they probably thought this was just a leisurely walk in the park. Far from it.

Once we'd got going there was no stopping us. The Jews of the world came together and waved flags, banners, yelling out, pleading and imploring those who could hear us far away to bring home the Israeli hostages. BRING THEM HOME! BRING THEM HOME! they cried plaintively but forcefully but you couldn't be sure whether anybody was listening to us. Every so often we sung poignant prayers for those who were still being held in captivity, innocent civilians who were, we prayed, still alive.

And so we continued to slowly saunter along the Embankment, optimistic in our outlook and just unstoppable. Across the River Thames, there were faint spots of rain in the air, then a mizzle descending on us while the general greyness and bleakness of a late November afternoon hung over us mournfully. Still, we were alive and nobody was going to stop us. We could see the tall, commanding figure of Big Ben, recently washed and brushed up for the best part of what seemed like a lifetime. Here was the ultimate rehabilitation, a London tourist magnet that would always be a genuine attraction even when times were grim.

Then there was the London Eye, the new kid on the block, a wondrous piece of architecture that, to all outward appearances, does look like one of those giant Ferris wheels that you'd normally see at your local fairground but that must have accompanied the designer's thinking at the time. And then there was the Mother of Parliament, the House of Commons, now a murky outline on the landscape but still there after all those centuries.

 And finally last but not least there was the House of Lords where experienced veterans on the political stage now sit contentedly on their seats rather like learned and articulate lecturers who have seen it all before. They just love to pass legislation on anything the House of Commons may have up its sleeve. London by now, was overcast and drizzly at times but that did nothing to dampen any of our spirits. Then we just kept walking at our own pace until we eventually reached Parliament Square.

Here was our final rendezvous of the day. Whitehall had just been host to two successive remembrance services and once again we were in contemplative mood, honouring those who had been tragically killed on 7th of October, the Israelis who just wanted permanent peace as we all do. Eventually after a circuitous whirlwind tour of the West End we arrived at Parliament Square. Here voices were raised and the mood was even more reflective than it had been before.

In the distance there was a stage with musical instruments on it. An impromptu concert was about to be launched and the music drifted across Westminster comfortingly and easily across the capital city like a mini West End musical. The music would become our salvation because we knew this had been one of those days when any kind of mirth, laughter and merriment would have been totally inappropriate. They belted out Israeli songs with delightful conviction and purpose, they made their heartfelt speeches and they had the most substantial impact. It was a day for proud Jews to get together and announce themselves, assert their authority and just think of those who were not quite so fortunate.

You thought back to those historic wars and flare ups in the Middle East when Israel simply swotted aside those evil barbarians who just wanted to wipe out Israel for good. Your mind settled on Syria, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Isis and Egypt admittedly much further back in time. The sound of deafening gunfire, the thumping explosions that blew up schools, hospitals, homes and shops, the mad savages who tried to kill off all Jews wherever they were in the world, provided the most horrific soundtrack to our lives.

Deep down inside you is the admirable belief that one day man will stop being cruel, murderous, wicked, destructive and just plainly despicable. Of course it sounds like wishful thinking but having seen and heard all of those demoralised and grief stricken families, the beating of chests, the crying, whimpering, sobbing, the barely believable documentary images on our TV screens you'd be forgiven for thinking that humanity has indeed lost its way completely.

At the moment most of the world is paralysed with disbelief and shock, not knowing what to do next or who to feel sorry for. Israeli hostages are now being released into the outside world thankfully in gradual numbers but there is an over riding sense that there can still be no ceasefire. What on earth can Israel do if once any potential ceasefire may be declared, Hamas just send a relentless barrage of more rockets and deadly grenades that just flatten the whole infrastructure of everything Israel hold so dear?

We are now at a critical stage of this latest Middle East conflict and everything has to hinge on Hamas next moves, its cunning manoeuvres, its deadly intent once again. For this is the truth of the matter and any hint of a compromise from Hamas has to be now and immediate. From all the evidence we've seen so far this is not even a remote possibility so we may have to whistle in the dark.

You find yourselves helpless and beyond appalled at the severity and gravity of this now wretchedly catastrophic Middle East war. As a Jew you're bewildered, dumbfounded, gasping for those familiar responses to any kind of war. You will continue to observe Shabbat, the Sabbath, sit peacefully in synagogue(shul) at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, happily enjoying family seder nights of Passover during the spring. Pesach is  a time of rebirth and regeneration but at the moment there seems to be nothing to cling onto.

So every morning you privately pray for peace. You look across the holy capital of Jerusalem, Israel's most religious of all cities and hope that one day that nobody will wake up in their beds with the most horrific din of ammunition ringing in their ears. You long for the day when the dominant news agenda is not one of ruthless murder of the human spirit and when the generations of today and tomorrow can look forward to a positive future without fearing for their lives at every waking hour of their day. It is a gorgeous thought and one that has to be taken seriously.