Jamaica Should Stand with Israel and Welcome the Jewish Diaspora

Across many Western countries, antisemitism is rising at an alarming rate. Synagogues have been vandalized, Jewish students are being harassed on university campuses, and public demonstrations increasingly include rhetoric that targets Jews as a people, not just Israeli policies. What began as criticism of Israel’s government has, in many places, morphed into a broader hostility toward Jews themselves. One of the most striking recent developments is Ireland’s decision to ban the importation of goods from Israel. Although presented as a moral stance, this policy is, in effect, an economic sanction against the world’s only Jewish state. At a time when Israel faces genuine security threats and regional instability, such actions are not neutral. They isolate Israel on the global stage and send a dangerous message to Jewish communities around the world: your identity and your homeland are no longer welcome in the moral imagination of the West. In response to this growing hostility, Jamaica has a unique opportunity to act with clarity and purpose. As a politically significant member of the global Black diaspora, Jamaica can and should send a message to the world that it rejects antisemitism in all its forms. More than that, Jamaica should declare its support for Israel and extend automatic citizenship to Jews in the diaspora who wish to invest in and contribute to the country. Such a move would express both moral solidarity and strategic foresight.

The Jewish Contribution to Jamaican History

The idea that Jews are simply outsiders in Jamaican society does not stand up to historical scrutiny. Jews have been present in Jamaica for centuries, and their contributions to the island's development are significant. During the colonial era, Jewish merchants, tradesmen, and professionals played vital roles in commerce and governance. More importantly, many Jews actively opposed slavery and supported efforts toward justice and reform.

Historical records indicate that members of Jamaica’s Jewish community played a meaningful role in challenging the institution of slavery and supporting the broader struggle for justice. Some were involved in information-sharing networks that aided enslaved Africans and their descendants in resisting oppression. Their contributions were not always overt, but they reflected a quiet commitment to social change.

During the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865, which marked a pivotal moment in Jamaica’s political history, several Jewish citizens offered discreet yet meaningful support to the cause of justice. Among them was Sidney Lindo Levien, a Jewish newspaper publisher and editor of The County Union. Levien was an outspoken advocate for the rights of the poor, women, and immigrants. He took an active role in the Underhill Meetings, which promoted political representation and civil liberties for the newly emancipated majority.

Levien’s activism came at a personal cost. During the rebellion, he was arrested under martial law and later convicted of sedition. He served nearly seven months of a one-year prison

sentence before receiving a pardon. His courage and dedication reflect the values of a segment of the Jewish community that saw Jamaica’s freedom struggle as their own.

Although the Morant Bay Rebellion was violently suppressed, it marked a turning point in Jamaica’s political development. The Jewish community, together with other progressive groups, played a constructive role in the gradual expansion of civil rights and democratic participation.

In the decades that followed, Jamaican Jews continued to leave a lasting impact on the country’s social and economic life. Through entrepreneurship, trade, and public service, they contributed to the island’s growth and resilience. From running small businesses to leading in the legal and educational sectors, Jewish Jamaicans have consistently demonstrated innovation, integrity, and a deep commitment to national development. Their legacy is one of meaningful engagement and enduring value to Jamaican society.

A Global Tradition of Justice

The Jewish people have also been deeply involved in other global struggles for justice. In the United States, Jews played a central role in the civil rights movement. Jewish lawyers and rabbis marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., represented civil rights activists in court, and helped fund organizations committed to racial equality. Their commitment to justice was not based on opportunism, but on a shared historical understanding of persecution and resistance.

Jewish involvement in global politics has, at times, included uncomfortable contradictions. Some Jews were complicit in the apartheid regime in South Africa, while others risked everything to oppose it. This complexity does not diminish the Jewish community’s overall legacy of resistance to injustice. Rather, it highlights the diverse ways in which Jewish individuals and communities have engaged with the societies they inhabit—sometimes flawed, but often courageous.

Jamaica, with its rich heritage of resistance and resilience, should recognize these contributions. The global Jewish experience is not simply a tale of wealth or influence. It is also a story of survival, moral conviction, and the pursuit of dignity in hostile environments.

Why Jamaica Should Act Western societies are increasingly alienating their Jewish citizens. Universities that once stood for free thought now tolerate open hostility toward Jewish students. Political leaders placate extremist factions by framing anti-Zionism as a progressive cause, even when it crosses the line into antisemitism. In this climate, many Jews are questioning whether their loyalty and contributions to these societies are truly valued.

Jamaica should position itself as a nation that welcomes the Jewish diaspora with open arms. Granting automatic citizenship to Jewish people who wish to invest, settle, or collaborate would be both a moral gesture and a sound economic strategy. Jewish communities are widely known for their excellence in finance, education, science, and entrepreneurship. Countries that

embrace Jewish immigration typically benefit from a surge in innovation, business development, and intellectual capital.

Jamaica stands to gain enormously from this alliance. Attracting members of the Jewish diaspora would bring not only capital and knowledge, but also global networks that can accelerate Jamaica’s development. From technology to healthcare to education, Jewish professionals and investors have a track record of driving progress. In the face of growing hostility elsewhere, many may be looking for countries where their values and talents are appreciated.

Rather than investing in societies that treat them with suspicion or contempt, Jews should feel welcome to direct their energy and resources toward nations that value mutual respect and cooperation. Jamaica can be one of those nations.

A New Moral Leadership

Jamaica’s voice matters. It is respected not only for its vibrant culture but also for its moral authority as a nation shaped by the struggles of the African diaspora. When Jamaica speaks on international matters, the world pays attention. By affirming its support for Israel and by offering citizenship to Jews who seek refuge from antisemitism, Jamaica would be making a bold and principled statement.

This is not about endorsing every policy of the Israeli government. It is about defending the right of a people to exist in peace and dignity. It is about opposing hatred wherever it arises, and refusing to let identity-based persecution gain legitimacy under the guise of political activism.

Let other countries isolate Israel. Let others embrace the false virtue of boycotts and bans. Jamaica should chart a different course. A course of inclusion, respect, and practical vision.

Let us stand with Israel. Let us welcome the Jewish people. And let us show the world that Jamaica remains a place of courage, conscience, and opportunity.

Lipton Matthews is a research professional and podcaster. He is the author of The Corporate Myth and The Trump Code. His email is lo_matthews@yahoo,com Books https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBX8G7Z3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCCMSLTV

A note from Walter Block:

I never thought to include guest essays in my substack. The appearance of Lipton’s brilliant essay was entirely at his initiative, and I am grateful to him for this.

First, I’d like to comment on what he says. As a Jew, I am grateful to him for his support. We Jews have been kicked out of many countries in our past history, and it is nice, very nice, to have a welcome mat placed for us by him in Jamaica. Hopefully, Israel will remain intact, and other countries that welcome Jews will continue to do so. But whether or not, this offer is very welcome. At the very least, hopefully, Lipton’s essay will increase Jewish tourism to his country. As a plain old ordinary human being, I also appreciate his essay. It is the highest form of humanism to support the downtrodden, of any race, religion, demographic.

Second, a note to other readers of this substack. Now that Lipton has broken the ice on this sort of thing, I welcome other offers of this sort; I may not include them all in subsequent issues, but I will look carefully with this in mind to all such suggestions. Please send them to Luis, LuisRivera3@hotmail.com, who is the manager of this blog.

Links:

First link https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-records-second-worst-year-antisemitic-incidents-charity-says-2025-02-12/ - UK records second worst year for antisemitic incidents, charity says

Second link https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-859160- Ireland becomes first European country to introduce ban on trade, imports from Israeli settlements

Third link https://www.timesofisrael.com/support-for-israel-strongest-in-kenya-and-nigeria-survey-of-24-countries-finds/ 24-country survey: Support for Israel strongest in Kenya and Nigeria, lowest in Turkey

Fourth Link https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0921374019847585 Complicating Jamaica’s Morant Bay Rebellion: Jewish radicalism, Asian indenture, and multi-ethnic histories of 1865

Fifth Link https://www.ajc.org/news/a-united-front-us-colleges-and-ajc-commit-to-fighting-campus-antisemitism

A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism