Bushey Rabbi: Starmer ‘shaken and moved’ by harrowing antisemitism accounts
Rabbi Elchonon Feldman tells JN: 'The ball is now in PM's court to act on what he has heard'
Bushey United Synagogue’s Rabbi Elchonon Feldman has told Jewish News he witnessed Keir Starmer being left “shaken and moved” after hearing raw accounts of antisemitism from members of the Jewish community.
Speaking after the Prime Minister spent two hours at the synagogue listening to harrowing testimonies from NHS workers, artists, and mothers of university and school students, Rabbi Feldman said: “I sat with the PM for all the sessions—it was relentless.
“What he heard was unfiltered, honest and deeply upsetting. We saw his eyes glistening, his visceral reaction, both in his body language and in his remarks at the end.
“Those were entirely genuine. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by what you heard, and I have full confidence this gathering has shaken and moved him.”
Rabbi Feldman expressed hope that the experience would translate into real government action, noting that many in the community feel the government is failing to stem the rising tide of antisemitism.
“I really hope that he’ll act on what he’s heard and do what’s necessary,” he added. “We explicitly asked him to ensure his government puts forward clear definitions for the community—what antisemitism is, how it’s felt, how it’s experienced—so that no Jew should have to feel intimidated, othered, or vulnerable.
“The ball is in his court, but it’s a real credit to him for coming, for genuinely listening. We hope it will be meaningful, not just for those present, but for the wider community.”
During his Thursday afternoon visit, Starmer also met with Hertsmere Council leader Jeremy Newmark. PM: We must get to bottom of West Midlands Police decision to ban Israeli fans
Newmark told Jewish News: “It was incredibly clear how profoundly impacted he was by what he heard from members of the community. It had a deep, immediate effect on him as a human being, first and foremost.”
Newmark also discussed with the Prime Minister a new initiative using the arts to counter Jew-hate and promote community cohesion, drawing on the film and TV cluster in the local area.
“The PM was particularly supportive and has offered to be involved in a short film project we’re working on with Sky and the BBC,” Newmark revealed.
The council leader also raised concerns about the disturbing rise of far-right groups, including White Vanguard, Patriotic Alternative, and Britain First, in the borough.
He spoke to Starmer about positive engagement with local Muslim leaders at a time of heightened tensions.
The PM later said he would have the community’s words “in my mind’s eye” as he attempts to tackle the “cultural issue” of antisemitism in the UK.
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