Senior Jewish Leader Calls for National Reflection After Terrorist Act

The United Kingdom's chief rabbi has stated that numerous people within Jewish circles and further afield are wondering why protests such as those against the restriction targeting Palestine Action are allowed to proceed.

Chief Rabbi Sir Mirvis commented: “Some of them feature blatant antisemitism, open backing for Hamas. Not each individual, but there is a great deal of these actions, that is obviously risky to countless in our society.”

Talking prior to traveling into Manchester this Friday to support the bereaved the killings of two victims during a terror incident outside a Jewish house of worship, he stressed an immediate necessity for national soul-searching.”

The assault took place in the wake of what he called an “unrelenting wave of hatred targeting Jewish people” throughout Britain’s streets, colleges, social media and in various segments of the media, the chief rabbi stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Pointing out the slogan “spread the intifada worldwide” – considered by many as a call toward aggression against Jews – he stated Britain had experienced “in tragic detail” this past Thursday the meaning of those words.

Returning to his earlier description as being aired in public spaces and on the internet, he said: “A great deal of this content is extremely hostile and furthermore, when there is the baseless vilification of Israel that contributes straight into an anti-Jewish sentiment in the atmosphere across the nation and subsequently encourages extremism. The government must be aware of that.”

Upon questioning regarding demonstrations arranged by advocates for Palestine urging an end to the war within Gaza and protests supporting the removal of the prohibition on the banned group the activist network Palestine Action, he responded that “a significant portion” of such activities are harmful to countless across the UK.

“Since October 7th, 2023 there are numerous individuals who have questioned why such marches are authorized to happen on our streets.”

“It is impossible to disconnect the speech in public forums, the behaviors of people like this and the results ultimately follow … These factors are closely connected and therefore we appeal to leaders again to assert authority on these demonstrations as they are dangerous.”

Faith leaders also hold a particular duty to play, the senior rabbi remarked, adding: “We need to talk regarding restraining our mouths, the opinions we share, how we express those views and also a religious leader must encourage unity and tranquility across public spaces and in our homes.”

His comments coincided with the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, stated that the recent day proved to be “awful day” for Jewish people in Britain, the nation as a whole, and Jewish populations worldwide.

“This is a stark warning regarding what we’ve been alerting for a long while, that this wave of antisemitism and hostility to Jews worldwide at the end leads to violence,” he stated on LBC radio.

Included among calling for further government action toward combating antisemitism were ex-controller Danny Cohen, the former controller from BBC One, who commented to a radio program there should be a “national inquiry into antisemitism established straightaway” as “a problem has become deeply troubled in our society, and it needs urgently addressing.”