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Jewish rabbis join cross-faith plea urging Burnham to rethink asylum reforms
Almost 40 senior faith leaders warn the Prime Minister’s immigration plans risk undermining social cohesion and deepening faith division
Jewish rabbis have joined Christian and Muslim faith leaders in urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to rethink the Government’s asylum reforms, warning that the current direction risks increasing division and weakening social cohesion.
An open letter signed by almost 40 senior religious figures from across the UK calls on Burnham to reconsider key measures contained in the Government’s Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper and the Immigration and Asylum Bill.
Among the Jewish signatories are Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Rabbi David Mason, Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Rabbi Anna Wolfson and a number of other rabbis representing Progressive, Reform and Liberal communities.
The initiative, coordinated by Jewish refugee charity HIAS+JCORE, also brings together prominent Christian and Muslim leaders, including Imam Qari Asim, Bishop of Chelmsford Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Methodist Conference president Rev Mark Slaney and Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE.
The letter comes as Parliament considers the Government’s proposed immigration reforms, which include replacing permanent refugee protection with renewable 30-month status, extending routes to settlement and continuing the suspension of refugee family reunion.
While acknowledging the need for an “equitable” asylum system, the signatories argue that prolonged uncertainty and lengthy settlement routes risk damaging integration rather than strengthening it.
In the letter, the faith leaders write: “We understand the need for a managed and equitable asylum system. However, we do not believe that subjecting refugees and people seeking asylum to endless cycles of uncertainty, unnavigable support systems, and painfully long routes to settlement achieves this.”
They add that the proposed reforms “undermine social cohesion, threaten to harm integration, and risk deepening a sense of us and them.”
The letter also links its appeal to recent unrest across the UK, saying the country’s “unity and cohesion are increasingly under threat” and warning: “We cannot afford for our leadership to enable a narrative that tells society refugees are the problem.”
The signatories call on the Government to restore refugee family reunion rights, reinstate a five-year route to settlement, reverse the proposed 30-month protection model and ensure refugees have a fair route to British citizenship regardless of how they arrived.
Rabbi David Mason, executive director of HIAS+JCORE, said: “This is a moment to choose what kind of country we are.
“Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister must lead to a reset in the UK’s refugee and asylum policy. We hope that new leadership brings a far greater focus on our shared values of solidarity, compassion, and partnership.
“A change in direction is critical for social cohesion too. Far too many of our communities are facing rising hate and insecurity. We desperately need a new focus which brings people together and strengthens cohesion – we simply can’t afford not to.”
Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE added: “Both a fair and well-managed immigration system and compassion for those fleeing persecution are not competing values. As people of faith, we believe that protecting the vulnerable and maintaining the common good go hand in hand. The United Kingdom is at its best when its immigration system is orderly, just, and rooted in the dignity of every human person.”
Esther Moodie, co-ordinator of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, said: “Across Scotland, our faith communities regularly welcome people who have fled war, persecution and violence. We see first-hand the gifts New Scots bring to our communities, and the importance of offering hope and belonging to those finding new homes here.
“Our asylum and refugee systems should enable people seeking safety to rebuild their lives without prolonged uncertainty. We call on the new Prime Minister to pursue reforms that support integration, allow families to be reunited, and create pathways to settlement that are fair, just and dignified.”
HIAS+JCORE said the cross-faith intervention was intended as a demonstration of solidarity at a time of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hate crime, with faith leaders arguing that refugee policy should bring communities together rather than drive them apart.
Full list of signatories:
Imam Qari Asim, UK Muslim Network
The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford
Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director, HIAS+JCORE
Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE
Revd Mark Slaney, President of the Methodist Conference
Caroline Stead, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
Revd Neil Thorogood, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly
Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen
Rev Inderjit Bhogal
Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Finchley Progressive Synagogue
Rabbi Dr Barbara Borts, Tzelem
Rev Sarah Brown, Church of Scotland
Rabbi Colin Eimer, Alyth Synagogue
Rabbi Warren Elf MBE, Faith Network for Manchester and Manchester, Liverpool and Southend Reform Synagogues
Rabbi Paul Freedman, Radlett Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Naomi Goldman
Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton
Fr Michael Holman SJ, Jesuit Refugee Service UK
Rabbi Dr. Margaret Jacobi, Tzelem
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
Jill Kent, Justice and Peace Scotland
Rabbi Kamila Koprivova
Revd Matt Lunn, Muswell Hill Methodist Church
Esther Moodie, Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
Emeritus Rabbi Jeffrey Newman
Pastor James Olanipekun, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
Dr David Ryall, Jesuit Refugee Service UK
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Emeritus Rabbi, Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue
Dr Ketan Sheth, Council Member, The Faith Forum for London
Rabbi Gershon Silins, The Liberal Synagogue Elstree
Rabbi Lily Solochek
Rabbi DY Stern, Radlett Reform Synagogue
Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, Chester Cathedral
Rabbi Daniela Thau
Rabbi Anna Wolfson
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