Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has welcomed Home Secretary Theresa May’s pledge to defend Britain’s Jewish community.
Mrs May told a Board of Deputies meeting on Sunday that the government would fight to keep Jews safe in this country.
“I know many Jews in this country are feeling anxious. I never thought I’d see the day that members of the Jewish community would say they are fearful of remaining here in the UK, which means we must redouble our efforts to wipe out antisemitism,” she said.
Following the meeting Rabbi Mirvis said he was pleased the minister “understands and appreciates the concerns of many within the Jewish community at these times of heightened tension.
“While Britain is a tolerant and welcoming society, no place can consider itself immune, as Paris, Brussels and Toulouse have shown.”
Mrs May’s comments at the meeting were covered widely in the national media. Communities Minister Eric Pickles also appeared at the session to offer reassurance following the terror attacks in Paris.
Mr Pickles told deputies: “I can't think of anywhere else I’d want to be, shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community of the UK, shoulder to shoulder with fellow British citizens.”
Rabbi Mirvis said the community was deeply grateful for the senior politicians’ gesture.
“As a community we appreciate the continued assurances and commitment of the government to fight antisemitism. We are fortunate here in the UK that the government and Parliament have been actively leading the fight against antisemitism.
“In the UK we have not needed a tragedy to trigger this concern.”
He also thanked the police and CST for their efforts to keep the community safe.
Emeritus Chief Rabbi Sacks told the BBC’s Today programme on Monday that the current period of concern among British Jews was the worst he had known in his lifetime.
