“Jews outside Israel broadly have Israel’s best interests at heart, and that many have a powerful and deeply personal connection to Israel, even if they are critical of Israel.”

The Interviewee -Yonatan Higgsmith (Born 1983), Film Producer, London, UK. I’ve a Dual Israeli/British Citizenship. Both Parents born in Israel, Half family in Israel, Half in UK.

In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?

“Personally, the existence of a Jewish state is complex. I don’t feel very comfortable with Religion and Civil Structures overlapping as I feel these should be separate at all times.  So, by all means be Jewish and have a state, but don’t focus on one religion determining civil laws. In the UK for example, I accept that I am in a Christian country and that, while it is very accepting of other faiths and practices, it is not 100% capable of looking after people who wish to practice other ways of being.  For example, as a Jew, many have to take time off for Christmas as part of their holiday allowance but then be out of days and not be able to take time off for Jewish festivals. Another example of difficult is for Humanists, who in Scotland can be married by a Humanist Celebrant but in the UK is not allowed to be due to a historic connection with Christianity. I would campaign against such archaic practices, linked to one religion stopping other cultures or groups from being able to practice.

“That said, there are many countries that are geared towards many different faiths or cultures and it seems valuable to have that set up for each group so that should you wish to live in a country geared for your beliefs, that is an option.

“With Israel, I feel it important that, while all other peoples and nations get to enjoy living in countries geared for their way of life, it seems right and fair that Jews have at least one country which is geared in their favour. As, should an individual Jew wish to live in a country that matches their needs, that should be on offer somewhere in the world. I would still campaign for Israel to be as inclusive as possible, and to try to move it towards including all other cultures as much as possible, something it doesn’t do anywhere near as well as the UK presently. Examples of this are how people travel to Cypress to get legally married if they are marrying across faiths, or Reform conversions not being recognised as real by Israeli government (currently being reconsidered) or same sex married not being legal in Israel to perform etc… That’s on the Religion vs Civil side.

“On a more macro view, as part of the Jewish People. The Jewish state is vital for providing a safe haven from generations / centuries of oppression, especially as documented in Christian focused Europe. Since French Emancipation, the question of what Jews are to do with Nationality has been framing our wider ‘mishpacha’. We have denominational Judaism, we have various types of Zionism, also assimilation, and we have new types of antisemitism. For there to be a country, especially post-Holocaust, where Jews can finally not be oppressed by other national programs/ideologies is very precious.”

Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?

“Yes. From three main sources.

1. I have some commitment to Israel due to my Reform Zionist youth group who educated and instilled a sense of Israel connection within me, including a gap yr program living there.

2. Much more of a fierce connection, because of my family who live in and are from Israel coupled with my personal connection as someone who is half-Israeli by Nationality.

3. I also believe, partly because of the history of how Israel came into existence over the last few centuries, that all peoples should have a right to self determination and the safety of their own country, and to prosperity. So I find myself championing Israel’s future existence as a means to recognising all cultures with the same desire.”

Do you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox denomination in Israel religious establishment?

“I consider myself a Liberal Jew – part of Progressive Judaism. The dominance of Orthodox in Israel religious Establishment concerns me as I feel that Progressive Judaism offers more inclusivity and that is one of my values.”

Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?

“Yes. I feel heartbroken on a daily basis. I have heard it described well as the metaphor of having a family member who continues to act in ways that are against the values you hold, you love them and always will, but you are heart wrenchingly torn about how to cope with and face them. That said, I am simultaneously also wishing to protect Israel from outside criticism. – It can be very hard to hear and accept external criticism – again much in the way of a family member as described above.”

In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?

“That Jews outside Israel broadly have Israel’s best interests at heart, and that many have a powerful and deeply personal connection to Israel, even if they are critical of Israel. That, without the country being geared for your culture, Judaism must be sought for in other forms of connection – be it religious / denominational / study / love for Israel / other Jewish symbolism / love of Hummus etc…”

How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?

“Generally positive – but also slightly patronising. It is very positive that there are good connections between organisation s and communities with Israel and Diaspora. But sometimes, Israel is unwilling to listen to the Diaspora because it is not Israel, especially when it comes to roads to peace. If I tell Israelis that they need to make more concessions regarding Palestine I am met with a response that effectively translates as ‘you don’t know what we are dealing with, you don’t have a right to comment’. This is totally understandable, as I don’t know, and it is likely much more traumatic day to day than myself in the diaspora has to deal with.

“With respect, it leads me to try to be careful when talking about difficult issues to make sure the person I speak to is listened to by me before I comment. But the diaspora don’t tend to get the reverse of this. As in, the diaspora also have to deal with many elements that provide a different point of view, that suggest different answers. The different perspective could be more welcomed, instead of shut down because it is challenging as a different point of view.”

In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?

“Yes, but I’d say Israel has an obligation to defend and help all communities in need.”

Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?

“Yes – I have family there, I have been several times. I’d like to go more often, but …Generation Rent. It is a beautiful and complex country. I personally find Jerusalem too challenging to spend too much time in as it is a very intense space. The rush and hubbub of the old city is a little overwhelming. Beautiful, but overwhelming. The Negev is vast and gorgeous. I lived on Kibbutz Lotan for a month when I was 18, I spent a few weeks in the army with a volunteer unit, I lived in Nahariya for 3 months during heightened security in Lebanon. I have family in Kibbutz Maagan by the Kineret, and in Modiin and in Sde Eliezer, I like the idea of Tvat more than walking through it, I enjoy that Tiberius feels like it belongs in a 70s movie. Tel Aviv is a paradise for people my age with the ability to make connections and discuss ideas with friendly people long into the night. Its hard to summarise as there is too much to share. Israel feels like another country where I feel at home.”

Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?

“I grew up very involved in my Jewish Community – much more than average. There are many community activities. National and Local Youth Groups. From the age of 9-22 I was part of a Jewish Machane, Youth Group. From then on very involved in a Nationwide organisation Limmud who run Jewish cultural and educational events & conferences. As an adult, involved in my local synagogue and interacting within a left wing Jewish space for peace initiatives and to raise awareness and develop community for Jews who are left leaning through Twitter group @J_VoiceUK.”

Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?

“That depends, really on what the aim of the project is, I feel more could have been asked about Israel and relationships – and whether Hebrew is something people are learning or want to learn – in order to connect to Israel. But I think its a good set of questions.”