15 Fall 2026 But the sense among many ordinary Jews that they are being asked to justify their place in public life in a way that nobody else is expected to do. And yet I remain optimistic, precisely because I am British. The story of the British Jewish community is one of the great success stories of the Jewish diaspora. For more than three and a half centuries, Jews have contributed to every aspect of British national life: In Parliament; in the law; in medicine, in science; in business, in the arts; and in public service. British Jews have not merely lived in Britain. They have helped build modern Britain. That contribution continues today. And that is why I reject the pessimism that sometimes creeps into discussions about the future. The challenges are real. Antisemitism is real. Extremism is real. The pressures upon democratic societies are real. But so too is the resilience of the Jewish community. And so too is the strength of democratic institutions. This brings me to what I believe is the most important point. The protection of the Jewish community is not simply a Jewish issue. It is not a favour granted to Jews. It is not a concession. It is not a special privilege. It is a test of whether a democratic society remains true to its own values. When citizens are free to participate in public life without fear, democracy flourishes. When minorities can contribute confidently and openly, democracy flourishes. When arguments are answered with evidence rather than conspiracy theories, democracy flourishes. The protection of Jews is therefore not separate from the protection of democracy. The two are inseparable. History teaches us that societies which become unsafe for Jews rarely stop there. And societies which remain safe for Jews are usually societies in which freedom, tolerance and the rule of law flourish for everyone. That is why this matters: not simply for the Jewish community; not simply for Britain; but for the future of democratic society itself. We meet tonight in Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish State. This is perhaps the one place in the world where nobody needs to explain why Jewish security matters. Yet the future of Jewish life has never depended solely upon what happens in Jerusalem. It also depends upon what happens in London. In Paris. In Berlin. In New York. And across the democratic world. Our task is therefore not to retreat. It is confidence. Confidence in our identity. Confidence in our values. Confidence in the rule of law. Confidence in democratic institutions. And confidence that truth is ultimately stronger than prejudice and stronger than conspiracy. The challenges before us are serious. But so is our determination. And if Jewish history teaches us anything, it is that those who repeatedly predict the decline of the Jewish People have a remarkably poor record of success. Am Yisrael Chai.n David Wolfson (Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, KC) served as Minister of Justice in the House of Lords for the previous UK Conservative Government, and is now the Shadow Attorney General. David is one of the most sought-after commercial Silks at the English Bar, and attracts instructions in the most complex and high value disputes. His practice extends over a broad range of commercial law, both in litigation and international arbitration, and he also accepts appointments as Arbitrator. In addition to his practice at the Bar and his political roles, David is a trustee or patron of several Jewish organisations and charities in the UK. He also has strong family connections with Israel, where he maintains a home.
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