Senior Jewish Leader Urges ‘National Soul-Searching’ After Attack
Britain's head Jewish cleric has expressed that countless members within Jewish circles and beyond are wondering why protests like the ones opposing the restriction on Palestine Action are allowed to take place.
Chief Rabbi Sir Mirvis commented: “Some of them feature clear hatred of Jews, blatant support toward Hamas. Not every person, but we see a great deal of this, which is obviously risky for numerous across the nation.”
Speaking ahead of traveling into Manchester last Friday to support grieving families the killings of two men in a violent assault outside a Jewish house of worship, he emphasized an “urgent need for national introspection.”
The attack happened following what he termed an “unrelenting wave of animosity targeting Jewish people” throughout UK streets, universities, social media and within some sections in the press, Sir Ephraim told a national radio broadcast.
Emphasizing the phrase “spread the intifada worldwide” – considered by many as an appeal toward aggression targeting Jewish individuals – he remarked the UK had seen “in tragic detail” on Thursday what those words meant.
Coming back to what he described as being aired in public spaces and in digital forums, he said: “Much of it is extremely hostile and also, when we see the unjustified demonisation of Israel that feeds directly into an anti-Jewish sentiment in the atmosphere of Britain and that then encourages extremism. National leaders should take note of that.”
Upon questioning regarding demonstrations staged by Palestinian support organizations demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip and marches supporting the lifting of the prohibition on the prohibited organization the activist network Palestine Action, he answered that “a significant portion” of these actions were risky for numerous in British society.
“Since October 7th, 2023 we have seen so many people who have asked why such marches are permitted to occur across our cities.”
“One cannot divide the words across the nation, the behaviors of people like this and what inevitably results … The two are closely connected and so we call on leaders again to take control regarding these rallies since they prove dangerous.”
Spiritual guides also hold a particular duty to undertake, Sir Ephraim Mirvis remarked, adding: “It is vital to discuss regarding restraining our words, the opinions we share, the manner we convey those views and additionally a religious leader must encourage coexistence and calm on our streets and in domestic settings.”
His comments were made as the president from Israel, Isaac Herzog, commented that the recent day was a “awful day” for Jewish people across the UK, Britain at large, and Jews worldwide.
“It’s a shocking reminder about what we have been warning on for quite some time, that this surge of hatred toward Jews and hostility to Jews across the globe at the end leads to violence,” he remarked to a national broadcast.
Among those urging more official steps toward combating antisemitism was Danny Cohen, the ex-executive of BBC 1, who commented to Times Radio it is necessary to have a “national inquiry regarding anti-Jewish sentiment established straightaway” because “a problem has become deeply troubled in our society, and it demands immediate attention.”