Rishi Sunak hails ‘extraordinary’ Jewish community at Board of Deputies tribute event

Rishi Sunak has praised British Jews for their contribution to the country and shared his personal connection to minority identity during a Board of Deputies tribute event held in his honour at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Addressing Jewish community guests, the former prime minister said: “I am so proud and honoured to stand with you tonight. I do know something of what it means to be different from others and even to experience hatred directed towards you and your community because of who you are.

“I know what it is like to be part of a community that integrates with others from all backgrounds in society and makes such an extraordinary contribution to our proud multi-faith, multi-ethnic democracy.”

He added: “Thanks for all that you do for your communities and your society – but above all, thank you for everything you do for our country.”

Board president Phil Rosenberg praised Sunal’s decisive action following the Hamas attacks of 7 October, telling the audience: “We could not have wished for a more steadfast ally. The warmth, the friendship, the holding of our community at a time when we were really anxious, and the friendship you showed to the State of Israel were deeply appreciated. You bolstered the community’s security to a level that had never been seen previously.”

Rosenberg presented Sunak with a Chanukiah as a token of appreciation.

The evening also featured contributions from Zaki Cooper and Daniel Lightman KC, curators of the Jews in Cricket exhibition currently on display at Lord’s, which celebrates Jewish contributions to the sport. The exhibition served as a backdrop to the tribute event.