The Future of British Jewry with Baroness Luciana Berger, Plus Special Guest Nadav Eyal!
Being Jewish with Jonah PlattShow Notes
Can Britain stop its antisemitism crisis before it's too late?
Baroness Luciana Berger, a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, spoke to Jonah in the aftermath of the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Baroness explains what this resignation means for the Labour Party, including the likely rise of Andy Burnham as the candidate to represent the party in the Prime Minister elections.
Baroness Berger reflects on Starmer’s role in rooting out antisemitism in the Labour Party following the Equality and Human Rights Commission findings that revealed an immense imbalance of racially targeted attacks towards Jews versus other communities in the UK. She also recounts her own experience of threats, harassment, and political toxicity under Jeremy Corbyn, which led her to leave the Labour Party in 2019, and later returned to the party in 2023. She discusses the under-16 social media ban she championed, the far-right UK political Reform Party, and rising antisemitism in the UK after October 7, including attacks in Greater Manchester, Golders Green, and the arrest of spies for Iran. Baroness Berger also describes increased Jewish school security, and emphasizes the vibrancy of British Jewish life.
MONOLOGUE: Israeli Journalist Nadav Eyal joins Jonah for a special bonus interview to break down the upcoming Israeli state elections, and what a Netanyahu win or loss would signal for Israel and the diaspora.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
00:23:30 – PM Starmer Resignation Fallout Baroness Luciana Berger tells us where she was when Starmer suddenly resigned from his position of Prime Minister, and what prompted Starmer to step down. Starmer Quits as Labour Leader and Paves Way For Contest For New Prime Minister
00:30:25 – Baroness Berger’s Political Origin Story Baroness Luciana Berger walks through her journey from student politics to National politics in the Labour party, the challenges she faced while campaigning, and why she left the Labour party for years during a toxic era for the party. Parliamentary Career
00:36:10 – Threats, Harassment, and Breaking Point Baroness Luciana Berger describes the harassment and threats to her physical safety she received as a Jewish representative. Labour's Luciana Berger Receives Death Threats Telling Her to 'Watch Her Back'
00:41:20 EHRC Probe and Reform Plan Baroness Luciana Berger explains the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) 2020 investigation into antisemitism in the Labour party. Investigation into Antisemitism in the Labour Party Finds Unlawful Acts of Discrimination and Harassment
00:44:22 – Andy Burnham as the next PM Baroness Luciana Berger says her hopes and worries for an Andy Burnham succession as the representative of the Labour party in the next election. Burnham Set To Be Next PM as 322 Labour MPs Back Him in First Nomination Tally
00:48:06 – Antisemitic Attacks in Britain Baroness Luciana Berger describes all of the antisemitic terror attacks since October 7th, including Heaton Park Synagogue, Golders Green, the firebombing of Jewish ambulances in London, and convictions of Brits spying for Iran. The Rise of Antisemitism in the U.K.
00:53:25 – The Beauty of the British Jewish Community Baroness Luciana Berger tells us the close-knit and vibrant Jewish community in Britain, how enrollment in Jewish day schools has gone up, and their positive contributions to society.
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Learn more about Baroness Luciana
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