"There was also persecution and prejudice and the Jews were never regarded as being in the same class as Muslims." But it wasn't in the same league as in Europe. And alongside there was plenty to put in the other balance, acceptance and respect. They lived alongside each other for a long time.

My point wasn't that everything was perfect, but that there are shared foundations on which people of goodwill can build. And common enemies, as the rise of Le Pen in France chillingly reminds us.