Arguments against Jews becoming citizens of England in the 18th century ~ Elder Of Ziyon

Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Arguments against Jews becoming citizens of England in the 18th century

I just found a 200-year old article in the Philadelphia Inquirer (July 21, 1825) that describes arguments made in England's parliament against allowing a few Jews to become citizens (the "Jew Bill" of 1753):

"I must beg leave to set forth the consequences of this Bill. With God there is mercy, but with the Jews there is no mercy, and they have 1,700 years punishment to revenge. If this Bill passes, we are all Jewish slaves, and with- out hope of relief from the goodness of God. The Monarch would become a creature of the Jews and the freeholders would be insignificant to him. He would disband our British soldiers, and raise a greater army of Jews, who might force us to abjure our royal family, and to be harmoniously naturalised under a King of the Jews. Awake therefore, my brother Christians and Protestants. IT IS NOT HANNIBAL AT YOUR GATES, BUT THE JEWS, WHO ARE COMING FOR THE KEYS OF YOUR CHURCH DOORS."

William Northey, said:

"this bill will admit the Jews to a share in our Government. A multitude of Jews may have votes for members of Parliament, and we may soon have some of them in this House. They will divide our counties by lot amongst their tribes and become the highest bidders for every estate."

Another member, Mr. Edward Esher, said,

"whatever may seem to be intended, every gentleman must foresee that a general naturalization of the Hebrew Nation will be the consequence. I am persuaded their number will increase so fast, that they will become possessed of a considerable part of our landed estates, and we shall soon have to contend for power as well as property."

After the bill passed, there was such an antisemitic outcry in England that it was repealed at the next session of Parliament in 1754. Jews did not obtain full rights in England until the mid-19th century.