Andy Burnham: Jewish community safety is a priority of mine

PM issues statement expressing 'love and support' to those who gathered at Heaton Park Synagogue to recall the horrors of last year's deadly Yom Kippur attack.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting King Charles III and accepting his invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting King Charles III and accepting his invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government.

Andy Burnham has insisted the safety of the UK’s Jewish community is a “priority of mine” after expressing “love and support” to those who gathered at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester to recall the horrors of last year’s deadly Yom Kippur attack.

In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister added: “I know for many Jewish people, the sorrow and fear from that day has not lifted and I know we must do more to protect communities across the country.

“I want Jewish people to know that their safety is a priority of mine and I’m determined to stamp out antisemitism for good.”

Burnham, who was Greater Manchester Mayor at the time of the Heaton Park attack, was replaced by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner at Monday night’s memorial event.

The PM was preparing to make his first statement in the Commons on Tuesday in the role.

But in his post on X he added:” We send our love and support to the Jewish community in Manchester and beyond who last night gathered to remember Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed defending their synagogue last year.

“My thoughts are with their families and all those who have been affected by the attack. “

Parliament’s return on Tuesday also coincides with an expected announcement next week by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on sanctions against Israel over West Bank settlement expansion and violence.

Miliband is expected to deliver this statement, having gained the approval to go ahead with the measures from the PM.

The Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis have all criticised the government over the move, claiming sanctions against Israel will have consequences for UK Jews.

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