There was an ancient tradition in Europe of using Jewish businessmen as money lenders and then finding a way to avoid paying the loan. The Jews of medieval Britain provided a convenient lending bank but were heavily taxed. The taxation became so onerous that the money lenders could no longer stay in business. There being no more money available to borrow from the Jews, so in 1290 King Edward expelled all Jews from the British island. They would not return until 1656 when Oliver Cromwell saw the benefit of readmitting Jewish people with money to lend.
Shakespeare knew of this old European scam when he created Shylock who lends a bundle but loses the repayment, all his property, and his daughter. But obviously the Bard could never have met a Jew as there were not any around.
The Brits have changed their attitude about people of non-Christian religions. There of course was a Jewish Prime Minister, Disraeli, and the current PM, Rishi Sunak, is a Hindu. Sunak will read a passage from the New Testament at the coronation ceremonies for King Charles. No doubt he will use the King James version.
The coronation ceremonies will also include representatives from all major religions, Hindu, Moslem, Sikh, Buddhist and others. The Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, will represent the Jewish community. A problem with this part of the ceremony is that it takes place on Shabbat which begins Friday at sundown and does not end until Saturday evening and the ceremony will still be in session. An observant Jew should not drive a car on Shabbat. So at the personal invitation of King Charles, Rabbi Mirvis will spend the night at the King’s home, Clarence House, a short walk from Westminster Abbey.
Two Strikes 