‘A test of our values’: Starmer to call for whole-society response to rising antisemitism

Keir Starmer will call for a whole-of-society response to rising antisemitism on Tuesday, saying that it is not enough simply to condemn the scourge, but people “must show it” through their actions too. Before a roundtable event at Downing Street, the prime minister will call for action on all forms of antisemitism, after a knife attack against the Jewish community in Golders Green last week, a spate of serious arson attacks and the terror incident in Heaton Park in October. Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said there had been a “lack of vocal solidarity” from parts of the liberal left , including some anti-racist organisations, in the face of rising antisemitism across the UK. No 10 will host representatives from across society including business, charities, health and culture, higher education and policing, for talks with the Jewish community. Starmer is expected to say they all need to refuse to platform hatred or turn a blind eye to extremism. “Last week’s terrorist attack in Golders Green was utterly appalling. But it was not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern of rising antisemitism that has left our Jewish communities feeling frightened, angry, and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them,” he will say. “These disgusting attacks are being made against British Jews. But, make no mistake, this crisis – it is a crisis for all of us. It is a test of our values. Values that are not guaranteed, but are earned. …