Chief Rabbi Urges National Reckoning Following Attack

Britain's chief rabbi has declared that numerous people of the Jewish community and further afield are asking the reason demonstrations such as those against the restriction on Palestine Action are authorized to take place.

Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis commented: “A portion include blatant antisemitism, open backing of Hamas. Not each participant, however there is a great deal of this, which is clearly hazardous to countless across the nation.”

Talking prior to his arrival to Manchester on Friday to join the bereaved the killings of two men in a violent assault outside a Jewish house of worship, he emphasized an “urgent need for collective reflection.”

The assault had occurred following what he called a constant surge of hostility toward the Jewish community” throughout UK streets, campuses, online platforms and in certain parts of news outlets, Sir Ephraim stated on a national radio broadcast.

Pointing out the slogan “internationalize the uprising” – which many view as a call to violence aimed at Jewish people – he said Britain had experienced “with tragic clarity” last Thursday the meaning of those words.

Returning to his characterization as being aired on public grounds and in digital forums, he said: “So much of the material is extremely hostile and also, when there is the unfounded criticism toward Israel that feeds directly into anti-Jewish feelings across the climate in the UK which then promotes radical views. National leaders must be aware of such risks.”

When asked about marches staged by advocates for Palestine urging a cessation to hostilities in Gaza and marches supporting the lifting of the ban on the prohibited organization the group Palestine Action, he answered that “so much” of it was harmful to countless across the UK.

“Since the 7th of October last year there are so many people who have asked the reason these demonstrations are permitted to occur on our streets.”

“It is impossible to disconnect the words across the nation, the deeds of people in such manner and the outcomes ultimately follow … The two are intertwined and thus we call on the government yet again to take control over these protests as they are risky.”

Religious figures also hold a distinct responsibility to fulfill, the chief rabbi remarked, adding: “We need to talk about controlling our mouths, the perspectives we share, the manner we convey those views and likewise a religious leader must encourage coexistence and calm on our streets and in domestic settings.”

His statements coincided with the president representing Israel, Isaac Herzog, declared that the recent day represented a “awful day” for Jews in Britain, the nation as a whole, and Jewish populations throughout the world.

“It is a jarring recall of what we have been cautioning for an extended period, that this heatwave of hatred toward Jews and hostility to Jews worldwide at the end results in bloodshed,” he stated on LBC radio.

Among those urging further government action toward combating antisemitism included former executive Danny Cohen, the ex-executive from BBC One, who commented to a radio program there should be a national investigation on antisemitism launched without delay” since “something has turned badly wrong in our society, and it requires urgently addressing.”

James Cunningham
James Cunningham

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