Jewish refugee group says asylum deal offers hope but warns core values under threat

Britain’s most prominent Jewish refugee rights group has cautiously welcomed the new UK-France asylum deal, calling it a “step in the right direction” – but warned that key Jewish and humanitarian values remain at risk.

Under the agreement announced this week, a new resettlement pathway will allow individuals – including women and survivors of modern slavery – to be relocated from France to the UK. In return, France will accept the same number of people who arrived in Britain via irregular routes.

According to media reports, the pilot could involve around 50 people a week in each direction, or approximately 2,600 annually – though full details have yet to be published by the Home Office.

HIAS+JCORE, which advocates on behalf of Jewish values and refugee rights, said: “Yesterday’s announcement of a new safe route from France to the UK brings some welcome news: the introduction of any new pathway is a step in the right direction. Our community’s history teaches us just how vital these lifelines are.”

The group praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s framing of the issue as a “crisis of humanity and fairness” and his statement that “it is right that we offer a haven to those in most dire need.”

But the charity stressed that the new plan “cannot come at the expense of a person’s legal right to claim asylum in this country”. It warned that “any deal that contravenes the UN Refugee Convention” would be in direct conflict with Jewish teaching: “We are commanded in the Torah to not ‘wrong or oppress a stranger’ – yet any deal that contravenes the UN Refugee Convention would do just that.”

It also criticised the agreement for failing to address the root causes behind dangerous Channel crossings, stating: “This agreement fails to address the core reason so many displaced people are forced into dangerous journeys: the lack of safe, accessible alternatives.”

While welcoming positive steps – such as the scrapping of the Rwanda deportation scheme and a trial to double the ‘move-on period’ for newly recognised refugees – the group voiced concern over several other government measures. These included the introduction of a rule that could permanently bar people who arrive irregularly from becoming British citizens, proposals to restrict family reunion rights, and the ongoing ban preventing people seeking asylum from working, which often forces them into destitution. Those in catered hotel accommodation are currently given just £9.95 per week to live on.

“Jewish values set a clear standard for any policy,” the statement concluded. “Is it compassionate? Is it responsible? Does it show solidarity and genuine partnership?

“This deal could be an important move toward a fairer, more dignified asylum system. But until the government provides full details on how it would work, the jury is still out.”