Rachel Moiselle@RachelMoiselle
Good morning, everyone.
From yesterday’s Sunday Independent. Of any piece on antisemitism I have written, I put the most thought into this one, and I do hope you will do me the honour of reading it in full. The piece focuses on themes of identity, loyalty, betrayal, and with whom one’s fate belongs.
As Irish Jews continue to be alienated in Irish society, I relay one plea from the Irish Jewish community: listen to us.
‘I think often of the quote by Polish communist Isaac Deutscher, who stated after The Holocaust that he had “long since abandoned my anti-Zionism, which was based on a confidence...in European society and civilisation, which that society and civilisation have not justified”.
In refusing to listen and accept the concerns of its Jewish sons and daughters, Irish society has punctured the confidence that many of us had in this great nation and, indeed, has strengthened the case for Zionism.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” is a famous phrase by yet another esteemed son of Ireland. This is a value the Jewish community have lived by since their arrival here in the 1600s. It is not too much to ask for one thing in return: listen.’
I want to thank the Sunday Independent for asking me to write another piece. As the poll results included in my article illustrate, this is not a popular subject to write on in this county. In order for the Jewish community to be listened to, it first must be heard. A platform such as this is most appreciated.
