As the Home Office announced some of the new provisions to be included in the Crime and Policing Bill, a delegation from the Board of Deputies met Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the Jewish community’s difficult experiences with public order over the last 16 months.
Welcoming the introduction of new powers to prevent facemasks and climbing on war memorials at demonstrations, the Board of Deputies discussed the need to protect synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship from hostile demonstrations, and to consider the cumulative impact of weekly protests on community wellbeing.
The Board representatives discussed the need to tackle terrorist groups and extremism, including restating the call for the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, the Houthis, the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Following the meeting, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said, “On the day that some of the measures to be included in the Crime and Policing Bill were announced, it was good to have the opportunity to discuss the provisions we think are necessary for the protection of our community. We found the Home Secretary to be very receptive to our concerns, and look forward to working with the Home Office to fight antisemitism and ensure the safety of our community”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I’m grateful for the positive and productive meeting with the Board of Deputies today discussing how we can redouble our efforts to tackle antisemitism and the range of extremist threats facing our communities. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board on this Government’s plans for safer streets.”
Representing the Board of Deputies at the meeting were President Phil Rosenberg, Vice President and Chair of Security, Resilience and Cohesion Division Andrew Gilbert, Chair of the Board’s Criminal Law Group Paul Harris and Religious and Civil Affairs Officer Victoria Lisek.
Photo: (left to right) Paul Harris, Andrew Gilbert, Yvette Cooper, Phil Rosenberg, Victoria Lisek