Britain’s top lawyer warns of ‘unacceptable reality’ facing Jewish communities
Attorney General Richard Hermer KC addressed the congregation at the Great Synagogue, Sydney
Britain’s most senior lawyer has warned of the “unacceptable reality that there are very few places on this planet in which Jewish life exists without physical risk” in a speech delivered at the Great Synagogue in Sydney, Australia.
Attorney General Richard Hermer KC addressed the congregation last Friday night, stating that he was speaking on behalf of Keir Starmer’s government to express outrage at the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and the deadly Heaton Park Synagogue massacre in the UK.
The barrister noted that the two incidents occurred on opposite sides of the globe, just weeks apart.
“This reflects the unacceptable reality that there are very few places on this planet where Jewish life exists without physical risk – it demonstrates the reach of modern antisemitism, which undermines our ability to live openly as Jews, to worship without fear, and to belong wherever we live in the world – north, south, east, or west,” he continued.
In a speech delivered in front of the shul’s Rabbi Elton and Rabbi Feldman, Hermer spoke of the determination of his government and those across the globe to now tackle the scourge of rising Jew-hatred.
“Earlier today, not long after I arrived in Australia, I went to Bondi, stood on the green, and reflected on the horror of what had taken place there,” said Hermer.
“From conversations with colleagues in both State and Federal Government in Australia, I know of our shared commitment to tackle antisemitism at home and abroad, and to ensure that our societies are safe for Jews to simply be Jews – without having to look over their shoulders, or feel that we are not free to express our beliefs and practice our religion.”
But Hermer also reflected on words written by the late Rabbi Sacks, who cited Aristotle, Kierkegaard, and Robert Louis Stevenson, before concluding: “In Judaism, joy is the supreme religious emotion.”
The KC continued: “Jewish history, like the Jewish calendar, is marked by the juxtaposition of not only sadness but also joy – what has been called our dialectical dance. This is represented in myriad ways, such as the smashing of the glass under the chuppah at weddings.
“So permit me, even if I fall short of expressing joy, in this moment of solemnity at least to offer some optimistic reflections on where we find ourselves.”
Hermer, a member of Alyth Synagogue, in Temple Fortune, also revealed he had remained friends with a group of Australians he had met in a year-off in Israel.
“They became life-long friends bringing me back to these shores many times,” he said.
He also said it was necessary in times of such woe “to remind ourselves that, even though our communities have been forced to endure these terrorist outrages, seen in historical context, this remains an extraordinary time to be Jewish in our societies.”
Hermer said that for centuries of Jewish existence, “attacks on Jews would have been perpetrated by states – directly, indirectly, or at best with atrocities committed while states and their institutions turned a blind eye.”
He said the contrast in our era is profound, adding, “Every arm of the state is now employed to track down and prosecute those involved in terrorist crimes, showing a determination to root out antisemitism and protect our communities.”
The human rights barrister said there was “a genuine, heartfelt expression of solidarity from our fellow citizens” towards Jewish communities.
He also noted that his comments had received a positive response in both the UK and Australia, helping to ensure that the outrages at Bondi and in Manchester “will not be used to divide communities.”
“We are blessed, in both the UK and Australia, to live in proud, tolerant, and diverse nations,” he continued. The Jewish values we all grew up with recognise – indeed, promote – the belief that love for our fellow human beings will always outshine hatred and division. To allow our anger to dictate another path would be to hand victory to the terrorists.”
Hermer concluded his speech by saying, “Let me end where I began. I wish to express, on behalf of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, our condolences to the families of those killed and injured at Bondi Beach, and our solidarity with the Australian Jewish community. May their memory be a blessing.”
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