OPINION: It is too difficult to prosecute Jew hatred – as PM, I will fix that
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has made the final ballot in the Conservative leadership election, writes for Jewish News on how Jewish and Tory values go hand in hand
Liz Truss is the Foreign Secretary
The British Jewish community represents the best of our country and as Prime Minister I will be your strongest champion.
I am honoured that my Conservative colleagues have put me forward as one of the final two candidates to be the next Prime Minister and I am excited to now take to the country to make the case to the Conservative Party about my bold new economic agenda that will cut taxes, grow our economy and unleash the potential of everyone in the United Kingdom.
As Prime Minister I would hit the ground running from day one, unite the Conservative Party and lead a government that believes in Conservative values.
And I believe that Conservative values and Jewish values go hand in hand.
Whether it is a sense of hard work, fairness or belief in family values, the Conservative Party should be the natural home for the British Jewish community.
As Prime Minister I will ensure all these values are incorporated into my government and I am ready to deliver from day one.
As a senior government minister, I have always sought to enhance the relationship between the UK and Israel.
As International Trade Secretary, I led a delegation to Israel and met UK-Israeli businesses aboard the UK’s Royal Navy Yacht in Haifa port, demonstrating the deep ties between Israel and the UK including our £5 billion trade relationship.
As Prime Minister I will continue to work to remove barriers to trade between Israel and the UK and work towards an advanced Free Trade Agreement that supports jobs and drives growth.
As Foreign Secretary I signed a new strategic plan with my then counterpart Yair Lapid for the next decade, spanning cyber, tech, trade and defence.
This pact will spur technological breakthroughs, which have the potential to change the world, create high-quality jobs in both our countries and provide tools to our security forces.
I am looking forward to working closer with my friend Yair as Prime Minister.
Both the UK and Israel are outward-looking, patriotic nations, who are natural like-minded partners. As Prime Minister I will ensure our great nations work even more closely to create more jobs, more economic growth and uphold our security.
Our unique partnership will already keep us at the forefront of the technological and ensure that the doors of the UK are open to high-growth Israeli tech firms.
The strength of the British Jewish community is a shining light in Britain but for too long the Jewish community has been victim of persecution.
I know many in the Jewish community feel that the bar is too high for bring forward convictions for antisemitism.
I have been vigilant in calling out the appalling attacks on the Jewish community, such as the act of terrorism at a synagogue in Texas.
I will double down in my determination to stamp out antisemitism and hate around the world.
As Prime Minister I will do everything in my power to ensure that those spewing clear Jew hatred will be prosecuted quickly within the full force of the law.
As a politician I think it is important to deliver on what you say you will deliver and that’s why as Foreign Secretary I moved decisively to support Israel in this fight by proscribing Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Israel and the UK are already closely intertwined with deep relationships in trade, security, culture and tourism. If I am elected as the next Prime Minister I will set about ensuring that alliance grows even closer.
Under my leadership, I will lead a strong and united Government which brings in the best and brightest from across our party.
Together, we will deliver real change for the Jewish people up and down our great country.
Liz Truss is the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and a candidate for leader of the Conservative Party
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
