OPINION: British Jews are right to call out those who seek to damage Israel
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who has made the final ballot in the Conservative leadership election, writes for Jewish News on his faith and why he will keep the BDS bill
Rishi Sunak is the former Chancellor of the Exchequer
Whenever I manage to get back to my home city, Southampton, to visit my parents, I always make sure to visit my Temple that has been the focal point of my religious experience throughout my life.
My faith is incredibly important to me. We are fortunate to live in a country where freedom of religion is a fundamental value.
But for some, this freedom is incomplete. Whenever I visit my Temple I do not have to be concerned about abuse being directed at me or be worried for my safety.
For Jewish communities across the UK, that is not always the case.
This should concern everyone in our country and motivate us all to do more. It is a sobering thought that security guards are required outside synagogues and faith schools, or that Jewish children are sometimes abused as they walk home from school.
We are – or should be – only too well aware of reports that antisemitic abuse is on the rise, and we know the psychological impacts that this abuse can have on individuals and communities.
It is important to remember that behind every statistic there are real people feeling less secure in the place that they call home.
I am extremely concerned by the rises in reports of antisemitic hate. Whilst data showed that 2020 saw an 8% fall in antisemitic hate incidents, the picture radically changed in the first half of 2021.
The Antisemitic Incidents Report showed the highest ever half-year total for antisemitic hate incidents occurred in the six months from January – June of last year.
As Prime Minister, I will continue the work of this Government to support Jewish communities across the country.
We will continue to fund the Community Support Trust and I pledge to meet with the Trust’s CEO, Mark Gardner, to discuss concerns and how we as a Government can support Jewish communities.
This is not an issue to be equivocal about: everyone across Parliament and the country must take a robust position on eliminating antisemitism and I am determined to ensure this scourge on our society is eradicated.
Antisemitism can take many forms. I will continue to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Bill, that will prevent public bodies engaging in boycotts that undermine community cohesion.
The Jewish community is right to call out those who seek to damage the only Jewish state in the world.
As a country, we must work collaboratively to eliminate racism and discrimination wherever we see it.
I have a simple message to the Jewish community: a Conservative Government led by me will listen to your concerns, and will always do its utmost to address them.
Rishi Sunak is the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and a candidate for leader of the Conservative Party
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