UK's Top Rabbi Calls for National Reckoning After Attack
The United Kingdom's chief rabbi has expressed that numerous people in Jewish society and outside it are wondering the cause for rallies like the ones against the prohibition against Palestine Action are authorized to continue.
Chief Rabbi Sir Mirvis commented: “Some include overt anti-Jewish sentiment, explicit endorsement of Hamas. Not every individual, but we see an abundance of such behavior, which is undoubtedly dangerous for numerous within our community.”
Talking prior to his arrival into Manchester this Friday to support grieving families the loss of two victims in a violent assault at a synagogue, he emphasized an immediate necessity for national introspection.”
The assault took place in the wake of what he called a constant surge of hatred against Jews” on Britain’s streets, campuses, digital networks and within certain parts of the media, the chief rabbi stated on the BBC's Today show.
Pointing out the phrase “spread the intifada worldwide” – considered by many as an appeal for violent acts aimed at Jewish people – he said Britain had experienced “with devastating obviousness” last Thursday the meaning of those words.
Referring again to what he described as expressed in open areas and on the internet, he noted: “So much of this content is so hateful and additionally, when present the baseless vilification toward Israel that leads directly into hostility toward Jews across the climate across the nation and subsequently encourages extremism. National leaders needs to be mindful of such risks.”
When asked concerning protests arranged by pro-Palestinian groups demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip and protests supporting the revocation of the prohibition on the outlawed entity the group Palestine Action, he stated that “so much” of it was risky to many across the UK.
“Ever since the 7th of October last year there are numerous individuals who have asked for what purpose such marches are permitted to happen in public spaces.”
“One cannot divide the rhetoric in public forums, the actions of participants like this and what inevitably results … These factors are intertwined and so we call on leaders yet again to get a grip over these protests because they are hazardous.”
Spiritual guides also had a specific role to play, Sir Ephraim Mirvis remarked, adding: “It is vital to discuss concerning managing our speech, the views we share, the manner we convey these thoughts and likewise a religious leader must encourage coexistence and calm across public spaces and within households.”
His comments coincided with the president representing Israel, President Herzog, stated that the recent day was a “awful day” for the Jewish community within the United Kingdom, Britain at large, and Jewish populations throughout the world.
“It’s a jarring recall regarding what we have been cautioning for a long while, that this wave of hatred toward Jews and anti-Jewish feelings all over the world ultimately reaches bloodshed,” he remarked to a national broadcast.
Within the group demanding more official steps regarding anti-Jewish hatred was ex-controller Danny Cohen, the former controller at the BBC channel, who commented to a news station there should be a countrywide review into antisemitism set up immediately” since “an issue has gone badly wrong across our community, and it needs immediate attention.”