‘Uncompromising action’ needed to tackle anti-Semitism, says Blair

Tony Blair has told European leaders to do more than just disapprove of anti-Semitism, which he said “requires gripping right now with firm and uncompromising action”.

In an essay on religious extremism, the former prime minister praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel for “taking an extraordinary step” of attending a rally in Berlin against anti-Semitism, accompanied by her entire Cabinet.

Calling it “a grim harbinger of things to come” Blair said anti-Semitism was “again stalking the streets of Europe” as he laid out a seven-point strategy for dealing with religious extremism.

“Defeating ISIS is vital,” he said. “But another ISIS will take their place unless we go to the root of the issue and deal with this ideology [Islamism] wherever and however it shows itself on a coordinated global basis.”