This morning the Prime Minister met with leaders from the United Kingdom’s Jewish
community. This included the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
The Prime Minister expressed his thanks to Jewish people
across the country who have been working on our frontlines and
helping the most vulnerable throughout the pandemic. Particularly
those supporting the vaccine rollout.
He also condemned the recent antisemitic incidents
witnessed in the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister said:
“Whatever the situation is in the Middle East, there is no
excuse for the importing of prejudice to the streets of our
country. In any form. The recent signs of antisemitism- such as
the assault of Rabbi Goodwin, the disgusting parade of vehicles
chanting hate speech through the streets of London, is
intolerable and I take deep, deep exception.
“I condemn antisemitism in all its forms and I stand
totally with our Jewish community. This is something that has
always been the way, and often goes unsaid, but I feel it needs
to be heard clearly. There is no place for antisemitism in the
United Kingdom. We must call it out, and be continuously vigilant
and emphatic.”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis expressed his thanks to the PM
for convening the meeting and reiterated how much of a global
challenge the Covid-19 pandemic has been. He said that he was
“worried about the increase in antisemitism in the United
Kingdom” and that “what we are seeing right now is
unprecedented”. He added “the community is determined to stop it
in its tracks and are encouraged and grateful for the
Government’s help”.
The Prime Minister pledged the Government’s support to
helping all those who are victims of antisemitism, and to working
to strengthen interfaith dialogue and the ties between the
Government and all the religious communities of the UK.
Attendees (in the room):
-
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Virtual attendees:
- Gideon Falter – Chairman, Campaign Against Antisemitism.
- Mark Gardner – Chief Executive, Community Security Trust
- Jonathan Goldstein – Chairman, Jewish Leadership Council
-
– Government antisemitism adviser
- Rabbi Levy – Alyth Synagogue
- Claudia Mendoza – Co-Chief Executive, Jewish Leadership
Council
- Rabbi Stern – President of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew
Congregations
- Marie van der Zyl – President, Board of Deputies of British
Jews
