Following the brave letter from the 8 Jewish cross-party Peers, a lot more individuals and organisations –not to mention the press – are finally feeling empowered to speak their mind about this controversial subject. 

We are delighted that the Jewish Chronicle is finally proving that the time has come to recognise that there are two sides to the argument, and that it is safe that these should be deliberated and aired by the general public, and within the Jewish community.

 It is, after all, a debate about a much-loved park, and whether parks in general should be built on, and what parks are to be used for, and by whom.  It is also a debate about protecting our historic heritage, and our unique views; about preserving some beautiful trees that give us much happiness, and making the most of a scattering of priceless, small scale monuments that mean so much to so many of us, and should not be overshadowed.  It might also be a debate about where best to locate a large new national attraction, and how this can work without causing all sorts of logistical problems…but this is secondary.

 What it is not, is a debate about religion, or about anti-semitism, or about not giving the memory of the Holocaust the immense respect and importance that it is due, or about not valuing the lessons it should be teaching our generation, and the ones to follow.

 The flurry of letters and articles that are now appearing from all corners are clearly paving the way for an honest and open debate about the appropriateness of our park.  We welcome this.  We also very much hope common sense will prevail – in the knowledge that we will all be winners, should the decision to find a new site be reached.

Tomorrow I will be discussing these issues with Philip Rosenberg of the Board of Deputies of British Jews on Radio 4, on the Sunday programme, for 6 minutes at some point from 7:10 am onwards!