Starmer: I will always fight for the security, safety, and freedom of British Jews
PM asked to clarity government action on antisemitism by MP David Pinto-Duschinsky
Keir Starmer has vowed he will “always fight for the security, safety, and freedom of British Jews” after the MP for Hendon called on the government to ensure the community can “live full and proud Jewish lives free of fear.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday—his first appearance since his resignation—Starmer was pressed by MP David Pinto-Duschinsky to clarify what the government is doing to tackle antisemitism.
“My famous constituency is proud to sit at the heart of the UK’s largest Jewish community in the London Borough of Barnet,” said the MP. “But today, many of my constituents—many from that community—are living in fear in North West London.
“In recent months, we have seen Jewish charities firebombed, synagogues attacked, Jewish people stabbed in the street—all against the backdrop of a daily drumbeat of abuse and intimidation.
“I know everyone on these benches is determined to defeat this despicable hatred, and I welcome the actions the government is taking to root out the poison of antisemitism.
“Can the Prime Minister tell this House what the government is doing, not only to protect the Jewish community in Hendon and Barnet, but to make sure we can live full and proud Jewish lives free of fear?”
Responding, the Prime Minister said: “Antisemitism is poison, and that is why I drive it out of the Labour Party. In government, we’re acting to drive it out of society.”
Starmer highlighted “new powers to ban repeated protests, new plans to root antisemitism out of our schools, universities, and the health service, new prescription-like powers to clamp down on malign state activity which incites hatred and violence”—and added, “We will take further steps.”
He concluded: “I’m proud to lead this tolerant, decent country, and will always fight for the security, safety, and freedom of British Jews.”
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