Two candidates for PM tell Jewish News: we will fight Jew hate
In exclusive columns, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss vow to support Britain's Jewish community against rising incidents of antisemitism around the country
The two candidates to reach the final stage of the Conservative leadership contest have vowed to do more to tackle rising cases of antisemitism if they become prime minister.
Writing exclusively for Jewish News, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss said they were concerned about incidents of hatred against Jews in Britain and promised action if they are elected leader in September.
Sunak and Truss are beginning a six-week campaign to win the support of Conservative Party members after receiving 137 and 113 votes respectively in Wednesday’s final vote by Tory MPs.
Penny Mordaunt, who got 105 votes, was eliminated.
In her Jewish News column: Liz Truss said she would be the British Jewish community’s “strongest champion”, and said she recognised many felt it was too difficult to prosecute antisemitic actions.
She wrote: “I know many in the Jewish community feel that the bar is too high for bring forward convictions for antisemitism.
OPINION: British Jews are right to call out those who seek to damage Israel
“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.”
Sunak wrote: “Whenever I visit my Temple I do not have to be concerned about abuse being directed at me or be worried for my safety.
OPINION: It is too difficult to prosecute Jew hatred – as PM, I will fix that
“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.”
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.
