JLC chair vows to press government to proscribe Iran’s revolutionary guard
Keith Black tells MPs, peers and Jewish Leadership Council members at the group's annual Westminster tea that the IRGC are a 'violent and malign organisation'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Jewish Leadership Council chair Keith Black has told an audience of MPs, peers, and members of the communal organisation that he will continue to press the government for proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing the armed group as a “violent and malign organisation.”
Speaking at the JLC’s annual members tea event in Westminster, Black stressed that he saw the communal body as a largely non-ideological one, whose primary task was in finding “effective, pragmatic solutions to the challenges our communities face.”
But the JLC chair noted:”It was only a few months ago we had a security minister tell the House of Commons that Iran is actively targeting Jewish and Israeli individuals here in the UK.
“Like many of you here, we will continue to press the government for proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a violent and malign organisation who not only threaten our community but pose a threat to society at large. Action must be taken.”
On a more upbeat note, Black noted how, following both changes in prime minister, and with a new sovereign in King Charles III, the Jewish community is fortunate to reside in a country where major changes result in “no threat to our status and security.”
Black noted that Monday’s event had also attracted the support and attendance of politicians from across all the major parties, adding “your support for our community is hugely appreciated.”
Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden also spoke at the event, stressing how both himself and Rishi Sunak were “staunch defenders” of the community.
The Hertsmere MP also pledged to use his new role to ensure the government delivers on legislation in this parliament, including on the BDS and Sanctions Bill, and with the Holocaust Memorial Bill.
Dowden said:”We are moving ahead, I can assure you, with the BDS and Sanctions Bill, it was a priority for me to get it in the Conservative manifesto in the first place.
“And it’s a priority for me as deputy prime minister to make sure that in this parliament we deliver on that legislation.”
The minister also seemed to play down current concerns over the Holocaust Memorial Bill, saying he had promised Lord Pickles, who also attended the event, that he would work to ensure the legislation “will be completed.”
Dowden also promised that the Online Safety Bill would tackle all forms of antisemitism over the internet, including conspiracy theories.
Earlier Labour peer Baroness Anderson, who hosted the event, had also told guests that this year’s tea took place in a, thankfully, more settled time for the wider community, following the previous problems that had arisen over antisemitism.
Amongst those to also attend the tea were Lord Leigh, the Liberal Democrats Christine Jardine, Labour MP Steve McCabe, Luciana Berger, Holocaust Educational Trust chief executive Karen Pollock and Board of Deputies chief executive Michael Wegier.
JLC co-chief executive Claudia Mendoza was also warmly greeted by guests at the tea in the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace at the House of Lords.
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