London candidates welcome Jewish Manifestos

London Mayoral candidates have welcomed this year’s Jewish Manifesto ahead of elections this coming Thursday.

The Jewish Manifesto for London was produced by the London Jewish Forum, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, and covers issues such as countering antisemitism, transport, housing, relations with Israel and social care.

Ten Commitments include pledges on support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, support for London’s Jewish heritage, encouraging ties with Israel and engaging with faith communities when planning transport changes.

The Jewish Manifesto for London can be read here. The Jewish Manifesto for London Ten Commitments can be read here.

President of the Board of Deputies, Marie van der Zyl, said: “It is heart-warming that party leaders and mayoral candidates have backed the Jewish community’s priorities in these elections. We look forward to working with them over the course of the next political term to ensure that London, Scotland, Wales and every part of the UK are great places to be Jewish.”

Mayor and Labour Candidate Sadiq Khan said: “Jewish Londoners have been hard hit by the pandemic, and it is right that the community’s thoughts now turn to building back better as we recover. This Jewish Manifesto for London sets out practical and achievable ways of doing just that – and I look forward to working with the Jewish community in making it a reality.”

Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey said: “I fully back all Ten Commitments in here and also send a message to the Jewish community that I stand shoulder to shoulder with the community now and into the future.”

Liberal Democrat Candidate Luisa Porritt said:” Coming from Jewish heritage myself, I know how important it is to stand up for our values, which is why I’m very proud to back the Ten Commitments in the Jewish Manifesto today.”

Green Candidate Sian Berry said: “I’m here to give my commitment to engage with and support the Jewish community in London and the groups that represent them and listen to the issues that they raise.”

Adrian Cohen and Andrew Gilbert, co-Chairs, London Jewish Forum said: “We’re grateful to the candidates for their support of our Jewish Manifesto for London. The next mayoral term will arguably be the most important since the mayoralty began and we look forward to working with the next mayor to implement our manifesto’s policy asks.”

Jonathan Goldstein, Chair, Jewish Leadership Council said: “I’m delighted to see that our Jewish Manifesto for London has been supported so enthusiastically by Mayoral candidates. Our manifesto highlights the outstanding work of our member organisations across the capital. The Jewish community looks forward to working with the next Mayor and playing its part in London’s recovery from Covid-19.”