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Tulip Siddiq

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Tulip Siddiq,

Tulip Siddiq

Opinion

Lessons we've learned from Paris

October 8, 2015 10:38
Police patrol at Hyper Cacher
1 min read

The murders at the kosher supermarket in Paris shocked the world. Thousands took to the streets to proclaim "Je Suis Juif", echoing earlier displays of solidarity with the murdered journalists of Charlie Hebdo.

European Jews had been killed once again for the "crime" of being Jewish. There can be no greater consequence to indict those who allow antisemitism to fester unchallenged.

As vice-chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, we were privileged to join this week's delegation to Paris. Accompanied by representatives of the Civil Service and the Metropolitan Police, the trip was held with the events of January still raw in our memories. The message with which we return is simple: there can be no complacency in the fight against antisemitism, at home or abroad.

The tour lasted two days and included meetings with communal leaders, politicians, and police. While the reawakening of antisemitism in France has resulted in greater violence than in Britain, there are clear parallels to be drawn.