Notwithstanding the fact that Hackney is home to at least 30,000 Jews, the majority of whom are charedi and that its most celebrated mayor, Joe Lobenstein, himself an Orthodox Jew, served an unprecedented four terms in office between 1997 and 2001, Haifa is the epitome of a multicultural city. So much so that the Bahá'í faith chose to establish its world headquarters there in 1868 — and has remained there ever since.

Arabs and Jews have always worked side-by-side in Haifa and most importantly, the Technion, the jewel in Israel’s universities’ crown, which is based on Mount Carmel, has been a shining example of multiculturalism and tolerance since its establishment with Arabs numbering some 23 per cent of its students.

Haifa’s mayor Yona Yahav has invited his Hackney counterpart Green Party politician Zoë Garbett to visit his city and see for herself rather than jump on the ‘Israel bad’ bandwagon. Were she to accept his invitation, she would experience the real Israel and not that seen through the prism of war in Gaza and Lebanon, much as the opinions of delegations of MPs to Israel from British political parties over many decades have altered after gaining first hand knowledge by actually being there. Ms Garbett would do well to accept Mr Zahav’s sincere invitation if she and her council are truly to serve those who elected them. Her feedback could also help to dispel some of the anti-Israel prejudice witnessed in council chambers throughout Britain.

To read more on this story, subscribe to our new e-edition. Go to E-edition.jewishtelegraph.com.

E-MAIL: editor@jewishtelegraph.com

If you have a story or an issue you want us to cover, let us know - in complete confidence - by contacting newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com, 0161-741 2631 or via Facebook / Twitter