CAA welcomes open letter from Home Secretary Priti Patel and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick reassuring Jewish community of Government pledge to combat antisemitism

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomes the open letter from the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and the Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, written to reassure the Jewish community of the Government’s intent to combat antisemitism.

Addressing some of the horrifying antisemitic attacks that have taken place this past week, the letter reads: “The Government is appalled by the disgraceful antisemitic incidents of recent days. Particularly the attack on a Rabbi in Essex, the vandalism of a synagogue in Norwich, and the reprehensible threats against Jewish women bellowed from a car in North London by purportedly pro-Palestinian protestors last weekend.

“Whatever one’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there can be no justification for the racist behaviour we have seen on our streets and on social media. The police have our full support in taking the toughest possible action against those responsible.”

Acknowledging the spread of online antisemitism, Ms Patel and Mr Jenrick wrote: “Many are discovering that non-Jewish friends do not understand antisemitism, refuse to recognise it, or do not care that they are spreading it. Some openly share content supporting Hamas, a terrorist organisation which shows callous disregard for human life and is committed to the violent destruction of Israel,” before adding: “As a Government we will do whatever is necessary to protect our Jewish communities, prosecute offenders and stamp out hatred.”

In a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community, Ms Patel and Mr Jenrick had breakfast at a kosher bakery in Temple Fortune. in North London.

In response to last weekend’s convoy that drove through Jewish neighbourhoods in North London that shouted antisemitic chants through a sound system, Ms Patel, weighed in, saying: “This is disgusting antisemitism. There is no place for this hatred in the UK. I expect @metpoliceuk to be taking this seriously.”

Last week, as antisemitism online, on our streets and on campuses had skyrocketed, the Communities Secretary reiterated his and the Education Secretary’s calls on universities to adopt the Definition.

Yesterday, Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Chief Executive and other communal leaders met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the severe rise in antisemitism over the past two weeks.