Burnham confirms top level government meeting to bolster security for Jewish community over High Holy Days

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Antisemitism is being held to ensure the highest level of security is in place for the community over the High Holy Days.

Burnham confirmed that he and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner had called a meeting, which included the country’s top security coordinators ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as he met with Jewish communal leaders at Downing Street on Thursday.

Joined by several Greater Manchester community figures, Burnham emphasised his determination to ensure there were no gaps in security at synagogues and other communal buildings—just one year after the deadly Heaton Park terror attacks that left two people dead.

Both and Rayner said that communal security was being prioritised not just over the forthcoming weeks but “into the future.”

He pledged that protection for the entire Jewish community was at its highest-ever level, in a year marked by rampant antisemitism, including recent attacks in Golders Green and Finchley in north London.

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Rayner then also confirmed:” I’ve spoken to officials because I know how significant this area is.

“We’re ensuring that the Cabinet Committee on Antisemitism is meeting so every department is involved, following recommendations and ongoing work within the DfE, so that we leave no gaps and provide coordinated support—not just now, but into the future.

“I want to recognise the fear and concerns that people have and show that we want to work proactively.

“I don’t want our words of support to only come at memorials or after tragedies; I want us to be more proactive, and I know the Prime Minister and other government departments want to listen.”

The meeting also took place ahead of the anticipated announcement of government sanctions against Israel over West Bank trade.

Some communal figures argued that, regardless of one’s view on the sanctions, there is a clear link between relentless negative coverage of Israel and rising antisemitism. This issue was discussed in further detail during the meeting.

Some at the meeting complained that Israel was being “singled out” with the new measures, but the PM denied this.

He said expected sanctions were designed to protect a two-state solution.

Jewish News was invited to observe the start of the meeting, which brought together representatives from the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, Community Security Trust, the Greater Manchester Rep Council, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, Holocaust Educational Trust, and other communal leaders.

Burnham stressed his determination to continue the close relationship he had built with the Manchester community as Prime Minister.

He acknowledged the sense of insecurity within the Jewish community and noted that this was not always recognised by those outside it.

Rayner spoke movingly about the impact of attending Monday evening’s memorial ceremony for the Heaton Park shul attack, and stressed the need for support for the community to be proactive, not just in the wake of tragedies.

The Prime Minister told attendees hew wanted to hold a meeting with them twice each year.

He added: “We’ve lived through some difficult things together, as you know, and it’s just about building the same with all of you and knowing that there is dialogue, clarity and trust, and we know we can be honest with each other, because Angela and I do know how much the community is struggling.

“Right now, the levels of anxiety are really quite high and probably never higher in terms of a sense of people’s personal safety.

“I remember that really coming over to me in October last year and after that, and the letters that I received.

“I’ve never forgotten it, and it told me that something was happening in the community that probably the rest of society wasn’t seeing enough and understanding enough, and that has been me ever since.”

He added: “It’s only by people being able to tell us what you want to tell us that we can start to develop a response—one that not only shows the community is always heard, but also matches the level of concern and anxiety being felt.

“So that’s the starting point really here, and I do just want to hand over to Angela, who has the community’s brief and such an important leadership role on this.

“We worked with colleagues on Monday and over at Heaton Park Synagogue. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there with you on Monday.”

Rayner added: “I think the concern from the community is such, and we’re seeing the attacks that happened, and we have to face it as a whole community.

“One of my reflections as Secretary of State, when I go into places of worship or educational establishments, is seeing the community face prison-style gates just to go to their school or place of worship. That is significant and has a profound impact—and I’m sure it deeply affects young people going about their daily lives.

“My commitment is to continue the work that I started and to do everything I can to support the work that you all do.”