Religious Leaders Address Antisemitism
Religious leaders from various faiths across the UK have issued an open letter emphasizing that antisemitism is "a problem for all of us to fix." The letter, published in support of the British Jewish community, was also endorsed by prominent figures from business, sport, and media sectors. It highlights recent violent incidents targeting Jewish individuals and institutions as a "nightmare from another time."
Recent Attacks on Jewish Community
In recent months, there have been multiple attacks on synagogues and Jewish sites. Notably, two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, two weeks ago. Other incidents include a car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester last October, which resulted in two Jewish fatalities and three individuals seriously injured. One of the men was killed by police gunfire during the incident.
Earlier this year, in March, four ambulances owned by the Jewish charity Hatzola were set on fire in a synagogue car park in Golders Green. More recently, the Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London was attacked, and shortly after, a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through the window of Kenton United Synagogue.
Signatories and Their Message
The letter includes signatures from faith leaders representing Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities. It asserts that the UK belongs to all its citizens equally, stating:
"This country belongs to you as much as any of us."
Organized by the Together Coalition, the letter states:
"The spectre of Jewish people being stabbed at random in the street, killed defending their synagogues and Jewish infrastructure being firebombed feel like a nightmare from another time."
"This is not a problem for Jewish people to have to respond to. This is a problem for all of us to fix.
"This country belongs to you as much as any of us. You are as British as all of us who call this country home. And we will do everything we can to protect you and your community from the extremists who threaten you."
Responses from Community Leaders
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis responded to the letter, describing it as a "powerful riposte to the hateful extremists who have targeted the Jewish community." He expressed hope that the initiative would inspire others across workplaces, boardrooms, classrooms, and social media to join efforts in combating antisemitism:
"My hope is that where these institutions have led, others will follow, in workplaces, boardrooms, classrooms and on social media, so that we can finally begin to tackle this scourge together."
Details of Recent Violent Incidents
Two weeks ago, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were attacked in Golders Green. A man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with this incident. The same individual faces attempted murder charges related to an earlier attack on a Somali man in South London.
Statements from Coalition Representatives
Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, emphasized the threat posed by extremists seeking to divide communities based on race or religion:
"Extremists are trying to divide us, to target minorities on the basis of their race or religion and to turn community against community. We won't let them."
Julie Siddiqi, co-chair of the UK Muslim Network and a signatory of the letter, highlighted the shared experiences of hatred and violence faced by British Jews and Muslims. She called for solidarity in confronting extremism:
"The shared experience of hatred and violence because of our faith should make British Jews and British Muslims allies in tackling extremism."
