Senior Jewish Leader Calls for National Reflection Following Attack
The UK's head Jewish cleric has expressed that many individuals within Jewish circles and further afield are asking the reason demonstrations including those opposing the ban on Palestine Action are authorized to take place.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis remarked: “A portion include clear hatred of Jews, open backing toward Hamas. Not all individual, however exists an abundance of such behavior, that is clearly hazardous to countless within our community.”
Addressing prior to his arrival in Manchester last Friday to support the bereaved the killings of two men in a violent assault outside a Jewish house of worship, he emphasized an immediate necessity for national introspection.”
The incident had occurred in the wake of what he described as a constant surge of hatred targeting Jewish people” on Britain’s streets, universities, online platforms and in some sections of the media, Sir Ephraim told a national radio broadcast.
Pointing out the chant “internationalize the uprising” – which many view as a call toward aggression targeting Jewish individuals – he said the UK had witnessed “in tragic detail” this past Thursday the implications of that phrase.
Referring again to his characterization as being aired on public grounds and in digital forums, he noted: “So much of it is extremely hostile and also, when present the unfounded criticism regarding Israel that leads straight into anti-Jewish feelings in the atmosphere of Britain which then promotes radical views. National leaders should take note of this.”
Upon questioning about marches organized by advocates for Palestine calling for an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip and marches calling for the removal of the prohibition on the outlawed entity Palestine Action, he responded that “a significant portion” of such activities are risky to countless across the UK.
“From 7 October 2023 we have seen so many people who have questioned why these demonstrations are authorized to occur on our streets.”
“You cannot separate the rhetoric across the nation, the deeds of individuals in such manner and the outcomes inevitably results … These factors are closely connected and thus we call on leaders yet again to assert authority on these demonstrations as they are risky.”
Faith leaders also possess a distinct responsibility to fulfill, the senior rabbi remarked, adding: “We must speak concerning managing our mouths, the opinions we share, how we express these thoughts and additionally a faith leader ought to foster harmony and peace across public spaces and within households.”
His statements came as the head of Israel, Isaac Herzog, commented that the day proved to be “horrific day” for the Jewish community in Britain, the wider UK, and Jewish populations around the globe.
“This is a shocking reminder of what we’ve been alerting for an extended period, that this surge of hatred toward Jews and animosity toward Jewish people all over the world at the end leads to violence,” he stated on a radio station.
Among those calling for more official steps regarding anti-Jewish hatred was Danny Cohen, the past director of BBC 1, who stated on a radio program there should be a national investigation on antisemitism launched without delay” because “a problem has gone seriously flawed across our community, and it demands prompt action.”