Opinion
I have always fought prejudice and bigotry
My remarks were about Islamist antisemitism and the dangers it poses to the Jewish community
January 21, 2022 13:36
2 min read
My remarks were about Islamist antisemitism and the dangers it poses to the Jewish community
January 21, 2022 13:36Much has been said and written about my recent remarks and personal opinions regarding the future of Anglo Jewry. I wish to clarify my comments, and in particular to state that I do not believe that most Muslims in the UK are by any definition Islamist extremists.
I stand by my remark to the Jerusalem Post, which accurately conveys my position: “I am not against any minority or against the Muslims in the UK or Europe, but against anyone who spreads hatred that harms Jews.” I sincerely regret that some of my remarks to a reporter from another newspaper who called me out of the blue have been misconstrued and misunderstood and gave the impression I believe otherwise.
I also regret that the message that I was trying to convey about the nature of the potential threat to the UK Jewish community – and which has been supported by many research documents and opinion polls that are easily accessible – was lost in the hurried context of a media rush to judgement furore.
I do believe that there is an important debate to be had about antisemitism, especially that practised by Islamist extremists in the UK, which should be brought to the forefront of discussion and not denied. In contrast to the very vocal opposition to far right and far left antisemitism in the UK, Islamist antisemitism receives very little attention even though there is a common, whispered consensus, demonstrated by the data, that it is a large and growing problem.
The research and opinion polls that I cite above, while showing that the majority of British Muslims stand as firmly against extremism as their fellow citizens, nevertheless discloses that a sizeable minority hold antisemitic beliefs and conspiracy theories about “Jewish power”and influence. I believe that if current trends remain constant into the future and we fail actively to address this extremist challenge through serious debate and action then,in my opinion, there will be little to no safe future for Jews in this country.
This is however only a warning, not a deterministic prediction. The threat can be averted if we stand strong and committed to fight this together with all those who oppose such extremism, both today and for future generations.
Demographic growth of the British Muslim population, as with any other segment of the population, poses no threat to British Jews or to the UK itself if it is committed to values of tolerance and respect. I am not a “bigot” as some have loudly and unfairly voiced. The impression of me and who I am that has been given is the opposite of my personal beliefs and values.
The comments that I made were in my personal capacity and were my personal opinions.
However, the charity I chair, JNF UK, has been brought by others into the debate. I therefore feel it is necessary to point out that I have led the JNF as Chairman for the last 14 years and I have led ground-breaking changes from not only supporting Jewish projects in Israel, but also supporting healthcare, educational and social projects for all of Israel’s citizens including its Muslim and Bedouin populations and to combatting economic and social problems for all of Israel’s citizens regardless of colour or creed.
I have always been devoted and committed to the Jewish people and to fighting prejudice in all its forms. This has not changed.