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It's un-British but we should make a scene when we see antisemitism, says Sajid Javid

The Communities Secretary says individuals must take responsibility for challenging anti-Jewish hatred, even if it means confronting it in public

January 18, 2017 12:29
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid
1 min read

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has urged people not to turn away from antisemitism and “call it out” when they see it.

Mr Javid said: “We have to object when a line is crossed from legitimate debate to smears and abuse.

“Ultimately, we have to be prepared to do that most un-British of things — we have to make a scene.”

He said individuals had a responsibility to challenge racism in any context or setting, be it in public, or online.

He said: “In fact anywhere, from the top deck of a bus to right here in Parliament. What’s certain is if we don’t speak out against hatred and antisemitism it will become normalised. And once that happens, the consequences will be tragic.”

 Mr Javid made the comments in a speech at a Holocaust Educational Trust reception in Parliament  today. 

He stressed the importance of not “lazily reaching for glib comparisons” in political debate.

Calling critics “Nazis” or claiming something was “just like the Holocaust,” should be avoided, he said.