“As a society, we have to be better than this. We need a national conversation about how we promote respect for our country and respect for each other, and how about we tackle extremism and build cohesion.”
In a letter to The Times, the Chief Rabbi, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster joined two of Britain’s most prominent Sunni and Shia imams to condemn the violent riots and salute the volunteers who pitched in to repair the damage incurred.
“Over the last few days, we have watched in horror as a small minority has brought hatred, violence and vandalism to towns and cities across the country,” the rare joint statement by faith leaders of multiple denominations said.
“We have seen anti-Muslim hatred and the targeting of mosques; asylum seekers and refugees attacked; violence directed towards the police and private property, all of which are a stain on our national moral conscience,” it added.
“Every British citizen has a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect others, so that together we can build a cohesive and harmonious society for all.”
Far-right demonstrators across the country riot in response to the Southport stabbing attacks, which were reportedly carried out by a Muslim immigrant. At least 400 arrests were made as protesters clashed with riot police. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)Getty Images
Laura Marks, interfaith activist and founder of Mitzvah Day, also spoke out against the “thuggery on our streets”, writing in a statement to the JC: “I can only imagine how terrified our Muslim neighbours and people in asylum hotels are feeling watching the news unfold and social cohesion fail.
"Whilst so far the main areas of Jewish population have not been affected, we should be in no doubt whatsoever, that targeting people who are considered ‘outsiders’ is deeply rooted in a far right ideology which also affects us as Jews and particularly, women. Whether because it is in our own interests or because we care about our neighbours, and even recognising that most Jewish eyes are turned to Israel, to my mind this is the time for to reach out in friendship and support,” Marks said.
World Jewish Relief, a Jewish humanitarian agency that provides personalised support for refugees in the UK, also expressed sadness over the violence on display across the country. They said in a statement to the JC:
“For over 90 years, it has been a core part of our mission to Welcome the Stranger and show compassion to people fleeing persecution, conflict and disaster, and help them to rebuild their lives.
“We support thousands of refugees from all communities and faiths in the UK, and alongside our partners, we will continue to meet their complex needs with compassion, empathy and care,” the statement said.
Writing on X, the Jewish Leadership Council said: "The far-right and racist riots we have seen sweep across the country over the weekend are utterly shocking and reprehensible.
“We wholly condemn these shameful attacks which have seen mosques, hotels housing migrants, and homes of migrant families targeted by rioters.”
Welcoming the government’s efforts “to ensure violence is met with the full force of the law and to protect the security of Muslim and other communities under attack,” the JLC said: “Now is the time for us to stand together, and reject this vile hatred."
Masorti Judaism’s Senior Rabbi, Jonathan Wittenberg, tweeted on Monday morning: “I’m appalled at the hatred poured out against Muslim communities and at asylum seekers. As Jews we know what it feels like to be hated for who we are. We stand in solidarity with all the victims of this racist violence.”
The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism also commented on the far-right protests, writing in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to see extremists using the grief of Southport to stoke hate and division.
“The memories of the children who were murdered, and the deep loss and the pain of their families, must be honoured and respected. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
:At this time, we must support and stand in solidarity with each other as communities and a country in grief. Any other response – especially attacks on those who had nothing to do with this awful crime – is to fail in our duty to those children and their loved ones,” the statement said.
As news of the riots spread, the Community Security Trust also issued a statement on Saturday night, saying: “The targeting of Muslim and other minorities is appalling and the violence directed at police officers is disgraceful. Nothing can ever justify this kind of behaviour and we fully support the police, government and our partners in other communities in their response to these divisive protests.”
Interfaith groups were also vocal. The Jewish-Muslim Women’s Network, Nisa Nashim, said the riots were “being fuelled by disinformation and lies spread by certain voices on social media about the attacker and the rioters. In times like these, as Muslims and Jews, we must speak out against all forms of hate and prejudice, keeping the affected community in Southport foremost in our minds.”
Mohammed Amin, co-chair of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester, told the JC on Monday: “The anti-Muslim riots over the last week echo past antisemitic violence by the far right against Jews in Britain and continental Europe. The riots have been fanned by politicians who whip up hatred for political gain, again reminiscent of fascists in the past.”
He added: “We need to remember that integration in Britain is a great success, and that the overwhelming majority of Britons are horrified by this anti-Muslim violence.”
At least 400 demonstrators have been arrested in connection with the riots in Southport, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Belfast, Stoke, and other UK cities.
