The UK's chief rabbi has declared that numerous individuals in Jewish society and beyond are asking the reason demonstrations like the ones challenging the prohibition targeting Palestine Action are allowed to proceed.
Chief Rabbi Sir Mirvis commented: “Some contain clear hatred of Jews, blatant support for Hamas. Not each individual, but there is a great deal of these actions, that is undoubtedly dangerous to countless in our society.”
Addressing ahead of traveling into Manchester on Friday to support those mourning the killings of two men in a violent assault near a synagogue, he highlighted an “urgent need for national introspection.”
The assault had occurred following what he termed a persistent tide of hostility against Jews” on UK streets, colleges, social media as well as in various segments of the media, Mirvis stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Highlighting the chant “globalise the intifada” – considered by many as an appeal toward aggression against Jews – he said the UK had seen “with tragic clarity” last Thursday the meaning of those words.
Referring again to his earlier description as expressed in open areas and online, he commented: “So much of it is so hateful and furthermore, when we see the unjustified demonisation of Israel that leads directly into hostility toward Jews in the atmosphere in the UK and subsequently promotes radical views. National leaders needs to be mindful of such risks.”
In response to queries regarding demonstrations arranged by pro-Palestinian groups urging an end to the conflict within Gaza and protests supporting the removal of the ban on the prohibited organization the group Palestine Action, he stated that “a significant portion” of these actions were risky to countless in British society.
“Since October 7th, 2023 we have seen numerous individuals who have questioned the reason these demonstrations are permitted to happen on our streets.”
“One cannot divide the speech across the nation, the behaviors of people in such manner and what necessarily occur … The two are intertwined and thus we appeal to leaders once more to take control over these protests since they prove dangerous.”
Faith leaders also had a specific role to fulfill, the senior rabbi added, adding: “We must speak about controlling our words, the opinions we voice, how we express such opinions and likewise a spiritual figure should promote unity and tranquility in our communities and in our homes.”
His statements came as the president of Israel, President Herzog, declared that the recent day was a “awful day” for Jewish people across the UK, Britain at large, and the Jewish community worldwide.
“It is a shocking reminder of what we have been warning for an extended period, that this surge of antisemitism and anti-Jewish feelings worldwide ultimately leads to violence,” he stated on a radio station.
Among those urging additional state measures regarding anti-Jewish hatred were former executive Danny Cohen, the ex-executive from BBC One, who told a news station we need a “national inquiry regarding anti-Jewish sentiment established straightaway” as “something has turned seriously flawed within the nation, and it demands prompt action.”
