🔗 Share this article

The UK's head Jewish cleric has expressed that numerous people in Jewish society and beyond are asking the cause for rallies such as those opposing the prohibition against Palestine Action are permitted to take place.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis remarked: “Some of them feature overt anti-Jewish sentiment, open backing of Hamas. Not all person, but there is an abundance of such behavior, that is clearly hazardous to many within our community.”

Addressing before coming in Manchester on Friday to stand with grieving families the killings of two victims in a terrorist attack outside a Jewish house of worship, he stressed an “urgent need for collective reflection.”

The incident happened in the wake of what he described as an “unrelenting wave of hostility toward the Jewish community” across UK streets, universities, online platforms and in some sections in the press, Mirvis told the BBC's Today show.

Pointing out the chant “spread the intifada worldwide” – that numerous regard as an appeal toward aggression against Jews – he stated Britain had seen “with tragic clarity” on Thursday the meaning of those words.

Referring again to his earlier description as broadcast in public spaces and online, he commented: “Much of this content is deeply offensive and also, when present the unfounded criticism regarding Israel that contributes right into an anti-Jewish sentiment across the climate of Britain and subsequently promotes radical views. Our government should take note of such risks.”

When asked concerning protests organized by advocates for Palestine demanding an end to the war in the Gaza Strip and marches calling for the removal of restrictions on the prohibited organization Palestine Action, he stated that “so much” of such activities are harmful to many across the UK.

“From October 7th, 2023 there have been countless citizens who have questioned the reason those protests are allowed to take place on our streets.”

“It is impossible to disconnect the speech on our streets, the deeds of participants like this and the outcomes ultimately follow … Both elements are directly linked and thus we call on leaders yet again to assert authority regarding these rallies since they prove risky.”

Faith leaders also had a specific role to fulfill, the chief rabbi stated further, adding: “We must speak about controlling our words, the opinions that we express, the manner we convey those views and likewise a spiritual figure should promote harmony and peace across public spaces and in domestic settings.”

His comments coincided with the president from Israel, President Herzog, commented that the day was a “horrific day” for the Jewish community across the UK, the nation as a whole, and Jews around the globe.

“This is a stark warning about what we have been warning for an extended period, that this surge of anti-Jewish sentiment and anti-Jewish feelings all over the world eventually results in bloodshed,” he told a national broadcast.

Included among demanding more official steps regarding anti-Jewish hatred was ex-controller Danny Cohen, the past director from BBC One, who stated on Times Radio it is necessary to have a countrywide review into antisemitism established straightaway” since “an issue has gone badly wrong across our community, and it requires prompt action.”