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Theresa May and Eric Pickles: We stand together with UK Jews against extremism
January 18, 2015 13:54
Theresa May and Eric Pickles have said they stand together with the Jewish community against extremism, while hailing the impact of Jews on Britain.
Speaking at a Board of Deputies meeting on Sunday after last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, Mr Pickles said: “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.”
The Secretary of State added: “Modern Britain without a thriving Jewish community would not be Britain. The Jewish community is a vital part of what makes Britain tick, whether it’s leadership through business and commerce, arts like dance and literature, or something more humble like members of the JLGB, who give so much to the Jewish community and others.”
Home Secretary Theresa May agreed that Britain would not be the same without its Jewish population, telling delegates that her government will fight to keep British Jews safe.
“We cherish the enormous contribution you make, not just in the past but today and every day. Britain is a thriving liberal country because of its mix of different backgrounds, culture and religions. It is a country we can be proud of, and we must never take our pluralism for granted. We have to fight and work for it every single day.
“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 in the UK.”
Outlining the government’s intentions to fight the extremist ideology behind the Paris attacks, Ms May emphasised the serious nature of the threat to Britain.
She said: “We've consistently said we have to confront the poisonous ideology which makes terrorism exist. We will bring forward new proposals to combat all forms of extremism, and the spike of antisemitism which we have seen following the war in Gaza.
“As anyone who has visited Yad Vashem as I did knows, we must do everything we can to stop antisemitism. Those attitudes have absolutely no place in Britain, and we must do everything we can to eradicate them.”
Laura Marks, senior vice president at the Board, thanked the ministers for attending the meeting, saying: “We so desperately appreciate you both coming along. The support makes so much difference to us.
“We are lucky to live in a vibrant Jewish community where the government stands shoulder to shoulder with us. Without Jews you said Britain would not be Britain, and I think I speak for all of us when I say how good that makes us feel.”
Representatives from the French Embassy and the umbrella group for French Jews, the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF), attended the meeting.
