Anthony Tricot on Sephardi Spirit and pushing for peace
This week on the JC Website a user called “SephardiSpirit” made the sweeping claim that “Sephardim view Yachad as ‘hostile’ to Israel.” I’m sure even the author would concede that this is a gross generalisation. Active in the Sephardi community myself, I can attest to seeing Sephardim with heritage from Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Iran and Iraq regularly present at Yachad events. Ethnic diversity, it seems, is not a barrier to political pluralism.
It is not only Ashkenazim who recognise that the current stalemate in the peace process is the greatest threat to Israel’s long term survival, or who view the Occupation as a roadblock to peace. Ultimately, only a two-state solution can guarantee Israel’s future as a democratic and Jewish state. The time for a two-state solution is rapidly running out while politicians on both sides grandstand, refusing to make difficult choices. Israel’s basic values of democracy, liberty and human rights cannot be taken for granted. Those who love Israel need to stand up for a Jewish state that represents Judaism’s ethics.
A passion for peace, security, prosperity and equality for Jews and Arabs is not anti-Israel. It is an expression of the high ideals of Zionism explicit in the Declaration of Israel’s Independence. Perhaps it is those who oppose those values who are the real anti-Zionists.
Anthony is an Iraqi Jew active in the London Sephardi Community
