Jewish leaders tell MPs antisemitism is a ‘British crisis’ at Westminster gathering

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) has used its annual parliamentary reception to warn MPs and peers that antisemitism must be recognised as “a British crisis”, not simply a Jewish one.

More than 150 guests, including leaders from Jewish organisations and over 30 parliamentarians, gathered at the House of Lords on Monday for the JLC’s annual Summer Parliamentary Members’ Tea, where senior figures called for stronger action to tackle anti-Jewish hatred.

Among those attending were Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer, Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism Lord Mann, former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Baroness Berger, Lord Katz and Lord Wolfson.

Speaking at the event, JLC chair Keith Black said Britain faced a wider national challenge that went beyond security measures alone.

He said: “Beyond security and enforcement, there must be recognition that this is not simply a Jewish crisis. It is a British crisis. Confronting this requires honesty about where anti-Jewish hatred exists and who is responsible for propagating it.

“Ultimately, this isn’t about the Middle East; it is about Britain. It is about what it now feels like to be a Jewish child walking to school in this country. To wear a kippah on the Tube. To be on a security shift outside your synagogue. To decide whether it is safe to display your identity in public.

“I urge all parliamentarians to recognise our reality and act now, not just in our interests but to preserve everything that this country stands for.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also addressed the reception, praising the Jewish community’s response to rising hatred.

She said: “The people in this room represent the best of our country: tolerant, kind and courageous.

“The way in which the people in this room have responded to hatred with kindness, to intolerance with grace and to violence with hope that motivates and inspires me to carry on in this fight.

“Real friendship means being honest when we are getting it wrong as well as when we are getting it right, and there are many of you in this room who have never shied away from telling us the truth.

“I want to thank you most of all for your friendship and for your honesty. You have my word that I will always stand by your side no matter what, and we will always match your determination and passion to defend the country I’ve believed in all of my life but not yet seen.”

JLC interim chief executive Debbie Fox described the event as a celebration of the organisations and volunteers supporting Jewish life across the UK.

“It is an enormous privilege for the JLC to welcome so many of our community’s organisations and leaders to Parliament for our Annual Members’ Tea,” she said. “They are the crown jewels of our community, and this event is a celebration of their leadership, commitment and contribution.”

Hosting the event, JLC vice-president Lord Palmer of Child Hill highlighted the pressures facing Britain’s Jewish community following a sustained rise in antisemitism.

He said: “Our community has endured one of the most challenging times in generations, experiencing an unprecedented and sustained rise in anti-Jewish racism and violent attacks against our community.

“Yet we remain resilient. Thousands of Jewish communal professionals, volunteers and lay leaders – many of whom are in this room – have dedicated countless hours to ensure the safety, security, development and prosperity of our community.”