Tory MP attends synagogue as an act of ‘solidarity”

A Tory MP who is not Jewish attended shul on Shabbat to show solidarity with her Jewish constituents following last week’s horrific murders in a Jerusalem synagogue.

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, arrived at Woodside Park shul alone.

At Kiddush she made an impromptu statement, explaining that she had felt “compelled to come here” as “an act of solidarity”.

A shul spokeswoman said: “Her visit was very welcome and really well-received.”

In a huge Jewish News survey last month, almost half the Jews polled said they would likely vote Conservative in next year’s general election, with David Cameron in particular being noted for his strong support of Israel. 

Many thanks Theresa Villiers MP solidarity #Jewish community #Terrorism #israel @JewishChron @JewishNewsUK @BoardofDeputies @UnitedSynagogue

— Woodside Park Shul (@WpsPr) November 22, 2014

WPS welcomed rt hon Theresa Villiers who visited services today to show support for #jewishcommunity after #Terrorism #Israel @JewishNewsUK

— Woodside Park Shul (@WpsPr) November 22, 2014