Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night praised the contribution of the Jewish community at a special event held by the Board of Deputies to pay tribute to him.
At the event, attended by guests from the Jewish community at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Rishi Sunak said: “I am so proud and honoured to stand with you tonight. I do know something of what is means to be different from others and even to experience hatred directed towards you and your community because of who you are.
“I know something of what it is to be part of a community which is proud of its heritage but proud of its Britishness too. I know what it is like to be a part of community that integrates with others from all backgrounds in society and makes such an extraordinary contribution to our proud multi-faith multi-ethnic democracy.”
He added:
“Thanks for having me here this evening, showing me your kindness and your warmth. Thanks for all that you do for your communities and your society but above thank you for everything you do for our country.”
Coordinator for Hostages & Missing Families Forum UK Nivi Feldman and Rishi Sunak MP
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg praised Rishi Sunak’s work to make the community a safer place in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks.
He said:
“We could not have wished for a more steadfast ally. The warmth, the friendship, the holding of our community at a time when we were really anxious, and the friendship you showed to the State of Israel was deeply appreciated by the community. You bolstered the community’s security to a level that had never been seen previously.”
Following his speech, Phil presented Rishi Sunak with a Chanukiah.
The event was also addressed by Zaki Cooper, who spoke about the Jews in Cricket Exhibition at Lord’s, curated by himself and Daniel Lightman KC.
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Jewish News: Rishi Sunak hails ‘extraordinary’ Jewish community at Board of Deputies tribute event