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Chairman of APPG against antisemitism appointed as
independent adviser by PM
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Role to include providing independent advice to MHCLG
on ways to tackle issue
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Recent national statistics show Jewish people still
most likely group to experience hate crime
Prime Minister has today appointed as an independent adviser on
antisemitism.
Labour MP , who chairs the All Party
Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, will be responsible for
providing the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG) with independent advice on the most effective
methods to tackle antisemitism.
He will also collaborate with , the UK’s Special Envoy for
Post-Holocaust Issues, as well as , the Special Envoy
for Freedom of Religion and Belief, to ensure a consistent
approach.
Prime Minister said:
“Antisemitism is racism. It has absolutely no place in our
society and we must fight its bitter scourge wherever it rears
its head.
“I’ve been proud to lead a government that is tackling such
discrimination in all its forms – from making sure courts have
the powers they need to deal with those who peddle hatred, to
asking the Law Commission to undertake a full review of hate
crime legislation. But there is yet more to do.
“ is, without exception, a key
voice on this matter. He has frequently campaigned in the House
of Commons on this issue and has tirelessly used his role as a
politician to speak out on behalf of victims of anti-Jewish
racism.
“I am confident he will bring the level of cross-party
independent advice needed to advise Government and to ensure we
see progress on this very important issue.”
said:
“If we stay silent on the issue of antisemitism, we unwittingly
allow cowardice and bigotry to speak its own repulsive
language.
“I will continue to call out those throwing stones of hatred at
Jewish people, and will endeavour to give a clarion call to
Government on prejudice and discrimination on this issue.”
Antisemitism in the UK continues to be a cause for concern. The
most recent national hate crime statistics published by the Home
Office last October showed that Jewish people were the most
likely group to experience religiously motivated hate
crime.
The Community Security Trust (CST), the leading Jewish
organisation monitoring and supporting victims of antisemitism,
recorded 1,652 reported antisemitic incidents in 2018 – their
highest annual total on record for the third year running.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The role of the independent adviser on antisemitism is an
unpaid position appointed by Prime Minister .
-
chairs the APPG on antisemitism
and has published a collection of writings on this theme. He
spoke at the Prime Minister’s Downing Street reception on
antisemitism against women, and was recently the keynote
speaker at the Community Security Trust’s Annual
Conference.
- The report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into
Antisemitism (February 2015) produced 34 recommendations for
tackling antisemitism in the UK.
