Opinion
Iran is the power behind the terror and it operates in UK
The JC Leader, 13 October 2023
October 12, 2023 14:04
1 min read
The JC Leader, 13 October 2023
October 12, 2023 14:04The condemnations from every Western leader have been heartfelt and welcome. And it was important for British Jews that our prime minister stood alongside the Chief Rabbi in synagogue on Monday night.
Rishi Sunak has been clear and strong in his support for Israel and commitment to the safety of our community. Which is why it is all the more incongruous that he leads a government that refuses to proscribe the IRGC, the global terror arm of the Iranian state.
Saturday’s massacre in Israel did not emerge out of thin air. It was made possible by Iran’s funding, training and weapons supply to Hamas.
Even if the British government was only concerned with its avowed support for Israel against terror, proscription of the IRGC — which would prevent it from pursuing its global terror aims on British soil — would be vital.
But the issue is far closer to home than that. Iran and the IRGC pose an immediate and direct threat to British subjects here in Britain. Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, has confirmed that Tehran has been using criminal gangs to spy on the Jewish community. He added that “this information was a preparation for future lethal operations”.
And in his official update last November on threats to Britain, Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, reported that there had been at least ten attempts by Iran to kidnap or kill British or UK-based people that year.
The opposition to proscription is said to be based on the idea that it would hamper diplomatic efforts to counter Iran. But what about security in Britain — and specifically the security of British Jews?
We say this to Mr Sunak: we know you are sincere in your words. We trust you to defend British Jews.
And we ask you to act against the IRGC immediately.