The real thing

It can sometimes seem as if the more conferences there are on a given topic, the less likely anything is ever to be done about it. One could, for example, spend a very unproductive life flying from one conference on antisemitism to another — while, in the real world, the problem gets worse. But there are exceptions to this rule, and Monday’s Sara Conference at Lancaster House on antisemitism and misogyny is one of them. The name could not be more appropriate: Sara refers to the Nazi law requiring German Jews with first names of “non-Jewish” origin to adopt an additional name: “Israel” for men and “Sara” for women. Quite apart from the outstanding list of speakers and participants, the simple fact of a conference focusing attention on this one aspect of present day antisemitism is itself important. Antisemitic abuse is foul, no matter who it is directed at. But the abuse directed at prominent Jewish women has a viciousness and depravity that is deeply disturbing.

Research for the conference showed, for example, that female Jewish MPs receive fifteen per cent more online antisemitic abuse than men. It is more likely that someone will search online for “Luciana Berger Jew” than “Luciana Berger policy”. One benefit of the Sara Conference is simply that it highlighted this issue. But it also served as a timely reminder that we, as a community, are far from alone in our determination to fight antisemitism. Cressida Dick, the Met Commissioner, has been an impressive figure since assuming her role; she added to that impression on Monday. And it should be noted that, despite spending hours in the Commons making a statement on Brexit, the Prime Minister made time to come immediately afterwards to a reception for conference participants at 10 Downing Street.