Victoria Starmer becomes UK's first lady, she is Jewish and respects customs

Lady Victoria Starmer, a Jewish woman with a rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, is the wife of the new British Prime Minister.

Linked to his Jewish upbringing, his life story plays an important role in shaping his family’s values and practices.

From regularly observing Shabbat to maintaining strong ties to the Jewish community, Victoria’s influence extends beyond the domestic sphere to the political career of her husband, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

Lady Starmer’s unwavering commitment to her faith and cultural traditions, as well as her commitment to combating anti-Semitism, underline the unique role she will play.

Starmer was born in 1963 in north London, the daughter of Victoria Alexander.

Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer pose for photos as vote counting continues in the UK general election in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. (Reuters/Claudia Greco TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

His father was of Polish Jewish origin and his mother, a community doctor, converted to Judaism after her marriage.

Growing up, Starmer was immersed in Jewish cultural traditions and practices, which played an important role in shaping her values and outlook on life.

Family and Jewish practices

In the Starmer household, Jewish traditions are respected and upheld. Although Keir is an atheist, the family regularly observes Shabbat, marking the weekly day of rest with family gatherings and traditional rituals.

In an interview with The Jewish ChronicleKeir mentioned, “Every week there’s challah and we say kiddush,” emphasizing the importance of these rituals in their family life.

Their children are raised with a strong sense of their Jewish identity and participate in various Jewish customs and celebrations.

Starmer’s husband stressed the importance of these traditions in their home, ensuring their children understand and appreciate their cultural and religious heritage.

The family belongs to the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St. John’s Wood, London. The synagogue is part of the Liberal Jewish movement, a progressive branch of Judaism similar to Reform Judaism in the United States.

It emphasizes modern interpretations of Jewish traditions and inclusivity, providing a welcoming environment for Jews of all backgrounds and levels of practice.

This inclusive approach aligns well with Starmers’ values, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Public life and Jewish identity

His Jewish heritage is an important, if discreet, aspect of his public persona.

She actively participated in the activities of the Jewish community, bringing a unique cultural richness to her family.

Despite her husband’s important political position, Victoria prefers to stay out of the political spotlight, focusing on her professional responsibilities and family life.

The fact that the prime minister’s wife is a committed Jew is particularly relevant given the Labour Party’s recent history of accusations of anti-Semitism.

Keir made clear that his commitment to tackling anti-Semitism within the Labour Party was a matter of principle, reinforced by the cultural and religious practices observed in their country.

He reiterated this commitment in a speech to Labour Friends of Israel, stressing that “anti-Zionist anti-Semitism is the antithesis of the Labour tradition.”

Link with Israel

His wife’s connection to Judaism intrinsically ties her to Israel. She has family in Israel and Starmer’s husband has expressed deep concern for their safety following the October 7 massacre.

His position on Israel is supportive, stressing Israel’s right to defend itself while advocating peace and a two-state solution. The Prime Minister told a Labour Party conference: “I categorically condemn the senseless murder of men, women and children, including British citizens, committed in cold blood by Hamas terrorists.”

In an interview with LBC, he also expressed his “deep concern” for his extended family in Israel and highlighted the “incredible anxiety” they were feeling.

“We support our Jewish communities here and we support Israel internationally,” he added. The prime minister also noted that anti-Semitic attacks in the UK have tripled since the start of the conflict, saying that “(anti-Semitic) attacks are not an isolated case.”

He also criticised the BBC for refusing to label Hamas as terrorists, saying terrorism is “obviously what we’re seeing”.

Discussing long-term solutions to the conflict, Starmer stressed the importance of peace proposals and a two-state solution, saying: “We need to get back to peace proposals and a two-state solution,” and adding: “What Hamas has done has pushed that further, and deliberately.”

Past anti-Semitism within the Labour Party, particularly under Jeremy Corbyn

It is worth noting that over the past decade the Labour Party has faced considerable criticism and controversy over allegations of anti-Semitism.

Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, there have been numerous incidents and complaints of anti-Semitic behaviour and language within the party.

This has led to investigations and widespread condemnation from Jewish communities and beyond. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published a report in 2020 detailing the party’s failure to adequately address these issues, highlighting a “breakdown in trust” between Labour and the Jewish community.

Upon becoming party leader, Starmer publicly pledged to “eradicate anti-Semitism” and restore trust, declaring that there would be “zero tolerance” for such behaviour anywhere.