Behind the Headlines Gibraltar: the Twin Fortresses

The Jewish community of Gibraltar seems as strong as the mighty rock on which it resides. What amazes the visitor to this world-famed fortress is that the 600 Jews out of a total population of 30,000 can be such a dominant factor in the life and activities of Britain’s Mediterranean outpost. The fact that both its Prime Minister and Mayor are Jews also helps.

Sir Joshua Hassan, the Prime Minister, not only firmly controls his small yet highly strategic domain, but keeps a close eye on the welfare of each and every Jewish citizen. He has served as Chief Minister from 1964 to 1969, and from 1972 to date. Forthright and unassuming in manner, he has gained the respect of the leaders of all the countries bordering the Mediterranean because of his firmness and effectiveness in office.

Sir Joshua informed this reporter that “I like to put my Judaism on the table for everyone to see. Our island, consisting as it does of Catholics, Protestants, Moslems and Jews, is too small for any division, and we need and possess unity between all shades of opinion.”

He continued: “It is all too easy for us, the Jews of Gibraltar, to be insular and apart, to exist in a pleasant cocoon. It is my view that we must break out of this mold and form close ties with the international Jewish world.”

Sir Joshua has visited Israel three times, and has a daughter living in Jerusalem. An eloquent advocate, he has pled the cause of Gibraltar before the United Nations on seven occasions. His 33-year-old nephew, James Levy (who prefers to be called “Chaim”), is now president of the Jewish community.

JEWISH LIFE ON THE OUTPOST

A barrister by profession, he is a partner with his celebrated uncle in a busy law firm. But his first love appears to be his communal responsibility which he practices with an infectious zeal and energy.

Levy described Jewish life on the outpost as being ail-inclusive — a day school for children up to the age of 12; from 12 to 18, the 70 youngsters continue their comprehensive Jewish education after their other classes. There is a youth club and a nursery. Gibraltar has four synagogues (perhaps too many for the current population), a Jewish cultural and social club, a kosher restaurant, kosher delicatessens, and a home for the aged.

The dynamic Levy insisted that “with all our Jewish activities and educational facilities going full blast, I’m convinced that Jewish continuity in our unique environment will be assured and even strengthened for the generations that follow ours.”

Another leading figure in Jewish life is industrialist Moses Benaim, who serves as Honorary Consul for Israel, as his father, David, did before him. And his son, also named David, now Vice-Consul, will succeed his father in time. The position is non-paying but significant, since Benaim works closely with London and with the Consular Section of the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, and is able to grant visas to Moroccan Jews who wish to visit Israel.

A. W. Serfaty, the Jewish Mayor of Gibraltar, is a vigorous 74, and the descendant of a family that has been in residence since 1704, the year that marked the start of the British occupation. He notes that the first civilian census in 1730 recorded a substantial number of Jews, who have played a significant role in the affairs of the colony for more than two centuries. Serfaty and his Catholic wife, whom he describes as a Zionist, have made visits to Israel. There is quite an incidence of marriages, he says, between Moroccan and Gibraltar Jews, as well as marital ties between Jews of Great Britain and the colony. Elected from among the members of the House of Assembly more than four years ago, he takes pride in the fact that the Jewish community has made such an impact; all businesses are closed on the Sabbath and the synagogues are thronged with young and observant Gibraltarians.

The visitor leaves this happy place with the distinct feeling of having observed twin fortresses: this heavily fortified British enclave, and the Jewish minority whose rock-like strength make it a major force in the destiny of Gibraltar.