Statement: Sydney Antisemitic Attack

Today we are grappling with the horror of the attack in Sydney. My thoughts are with our Jewish community at this awful moment. 

What should have been a time of joy and peace was turned into an atrocity by antisemitic hatred. Rabbi Eli Schlanger grew up here in London, while Alexander Kleytman had survived the Holocaust as a child, and the youngest victim, Matilda, was just ten. This was an unspeakably evil act. 

This marks the second time in recent months that Jewish community events to mark holy days have been targeted because of vile antisemitism.  People in our Jewish community are understandably scared and I am in contact with our local police, who have been proactive in increasing presence at Hanukah events yesterday and throughout this week.  

I will continue to support and advocate for stronger security measures, this is just one part of how we must respond. We must recognise and tackle the increase in antisemitic hatred, extremism and division that shames our country. Every organisation and every media platform must take action to prevent antisemitism from spreading further. The laws we have against incitement to hatred and violence must be upheld and applied in every context.