Deputy Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have backed the Board of Deputies of British Jews groundbreaking Commission on Antisemitism, launched this week. The Commission is being led by the Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism Lord Mann and former Secretary of State for Defence Penny Mordaunt.
The Commission will investigate the rise of Antisemitism in the UK and make far-reaching recommendations which will also encompass a comprehensive review of hate crime legislation, policing and prosecution, including public order and safety.
The Commission was a key pledge for Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg prior to his election in May. It will encompass a sector-by-sector review of the failings in civil society since 7 October, whether in the media, social-media, schools, academia, workplaces, trades unions, sport and culture.
It will also be tasked with making recommendations on how best to tackle extremism, whether from Islamist sources, the far-right or far-left, and will investigate how interfaith work, training and education can be scaled up.
The Co-Chairs are determined that the results of the Commission be tangible and additive. It will report in the next year, with the substantive work on legislation to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
They will be looking to take evidence from a range of groups inside and outside the Jewish community, including Jewish young people, Jewish employees in workplaces as diverse as the NHS and the arts, and police officers who have had responsibility for marches and protests over the last year, which have caused great concern to Jewish communities across the country.
The Co-Chairs will also be speaking to other groups who experience hate crime, including Muslims, black people, women’s organisations, and members of LGBT communities, to understand points of commonality and difference in terms of what could make a positive difference.
They will be holding a special evidence session with the Board’s Deputies, representing 200 synagogues and Jewish charities from Cornwall to Aberdeen, at the upcoming Board of Deputies plenary in January.
In announcing the commission’s launch, President Phil Rosenberg said: “Our community has had an incredibly difficult year or so since 7 October, but, as President of the Board of Deputies, I am determined that we will come back stronger. I am delighted that two such heavy-hitters, Penny Mordaunt and Lord John Mann, have agreed to co-chair this Commission, which will make tangible recommendations to move the dial. Antisemitism and extremism are not just problems that affect Jews, but our country as a whole. If we get this right, the changes will be of benefit to promoting better safety and cohesion for all”.
On behalf of the Government, Deputy Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, said: “This Government stands shoulder to shoulder with Jewish communities against antisemitism. We welcome the launch of the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Antisemitism and will look closely at its recommendations as part of our work to keep communities safe”.
On behalf of the Opposition, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Over the last year, antisemitism has been on the rise. It has no place in British society, and we must do everything we can to tackle it. I look forward to seeing the outcome of this commission. I hope it succeeds in removing the scourge of antisemitism from Britain for good.”