Antisemitism an ‘urgent issue’ for all of British society, Penny Mordaunt warns
Dame Penny Mordaunt has said she was “stunned into silence” as she undertook a Government-backed review into antisemitism.
The former Conservative minister joined Lord John Mann, the Government’s antisemitism adviser, in chairing an independent commission on antisemitism on behalf of the Board of Deputies, Britain’s largest Jewish community organisation.
Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, the pair described themselves as “hard-nosed politicians” who are “used to dealing with the extremes of human emotions and catastrophe”.
‘Urgent issue’
But they added: “Even with decades of these experiences, we were still stunned into silence by the evidence that we received as independent chairs of the Board of Deputies Commission on Antisemitism, particularly from young people in the Jewish community.”
“This is an urgent issue not just for the Jewish community but for the United Kingdom as a whole,” the pair added.
They also said: “We are all harmed if we tolerate the abuse of some of our fellow citizens by those who hold warped or extreme views.”
Their warnings of growing antisemitic prejudices across British society, from the NHS to arts organisations and the police, comes as the report they authored is set to be published on Tuesday.
Among its recommendations are that the NHS should hold a summit to tackle the “specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism” within the health service.
Recommendations
Lord Mann and former defence secretary Dame Penny set out 10 recommendations calling for educators, public services and trade unions to do more to tackle antisemitism.
Among them was a recommendation for every NHS trust to have “basic training on contemporary antisemitism”.
They stated: “From evidence that we heard, we can identify that there is a specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism within the NHS. We recommend that a summit should be held with NHS leaders across the UK to begin to address this.”
They noted an “identifiable lack of consistency and capacity in antisemitism training” and recommended the creation of a specific antisemitism training qualification, adding that such training should be included within equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in organisations and institutions.
Efforts to teach primary school teachers how to avoid passing on antisemitism and anti-Jewish tropes in their lessons should be rolled out in faith schools across the UK, the commission said.
It added that professional organisations and trade unions should ensure that all Jewish members are treated equally and with respect, while there must be a consistent approach taken by police when dealing with antisemitic crimes.
‘Hidden barriers’
The commission said it had seen evidence of “hidden barriers being put in front of Jewish involvement within the arts” and said there must always be a “robust response for those who choose to discriminate and government at every level should ensure this”.
Lord Mann said: “It is unacceptable that the Jewish community has faced an onslaught of antisemitism since October 7th.
“Whilst this is not new, the commission heard shocking experiences that we will not ignore. Antisemitism is racism and it must be treated as such. We hope these recommendations will provide additional guidance and action for civil society.”
Dame Penny said: “No person should face abuse or discrimination whilst going about their business, whether it is pursuing the career of their choice or accessing public services.
“We wanted to suggest some very practical things that can be dealt with swiftly and will dramatically improve people’s experiences.”
Challenge
Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg said: “Overall, the challenge in civil society can be summarised as one of a failure to apply the protections rightly afforded to different vulnerable groups equally to Jewish people in the same positions.
“Many sectors promote strong Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) processes, which are very important, but too often, these protections seem to exclude Jews.”
He said the board will insist that “Jews must count” and will use the recommendations of the commission’s report “to ensure that they do”.
An NHS spokesperson said: “It is completely unacceptable for anyone to experience racism, discrimination or prejudice in the health service, whether staff or patient, and the NHS takes any instance of antisemitism or discrimination extremely seriously.
“The NHS provides care and treatment for everyone regardless of race, faith, or background and all NHS healthcare providers should have policies in place to address issues like this in the workplace.”
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Smoke and mirrors. I have lived in south Wales and London for the last 60 years, I have never once heard any antisemitic view being expressed. I’ve heard plenty of anti Israeli government sentiment though.
I agree almost entirely – my single qualified exception, given that I’ll hit the age of 80 next month, is that I do recall from childhood a degree of mild anti-semitism from some in my parents’ generation, people born at the beginning of the last century. Though it was invariably generalized, and never ever seemed to be applied to individual Jewish people whom they knew, whether socially or professionally. I grew up in a part of England which is reputed to have the second highest Jewish population in the UK, after London. But like you, having lived my entire adult… Read more »
You’ve not experienced it, so it must not exist? Ask the many Jewish people in our country and they will tell you a different experience.
As the Jewish population in the UK is approximately 0.5%, in Wales it is something like 0.1%, that is not as easy as it is said.
Amongst people I know it has never arisen as a topic of interest.
From a relative in the force, the stats say antisemitism harassment, vandalism and assaults have increased massively in the UK over the past 10 years, I think 3-4 times. It’s always difficult reading directly from stats but anecdotally these are much more prevalent in major cities i.e London, Brum and Manchester. Its an important issue, but it’s also important to note that the UK has fewer incidents as a proportion of population when compared to other European countries,where there is a very significant problem
But how do you tell the difference between those genuinely motivated to help Palestinians and those sharing an anti-Israeli government platform just to channel their antisemitism? Because it’s easy to conflate a government with a people if it suits someone’s nefarious narrative.
Those genuinely motivated to help Palestinians will start by condemning their genocide and destruction of their properties.
And someone who hates Jews wouldn’t join in?
Why bring religion into it? Everyone with a half a heart would condemn the senseless murder of children and babies.
And those that intentionally use them as human shields in Iran’s proxy war. But the point was about how to tell the antisemites from those genuinely supporting Palestinians, and the answer is that the first only want to talk about the horrors while the second want to talk about fixing it.
Stop taking Palestinians land in West Bank then.
Back to talking about how bad one side is and not how to fix it, again?
Good move, Palestinians are also semitic so the government will now take action to stop their genocide in Ghazza and stop the destruction of their homes and being driven out of their homeland.
If only. It strikes me that the whole issue is being driven by the British Government’s pro-IDF stance at a time when a large chunk (OK I don’t have an exact figure) of the UK population would wish strong action against them, not least a banning of arms supplies. It is not too surprising that those people who follow the Jewish faith and still publicly support the IDF’s actions will get ‘push back’ from the rest of the population. We also have a problem with Islamaphobia being whipped up by the far Right and their Great Replacement Conspiracy. The whole… Read more »
True. Nation.cymru is different though.
well Amir I’m not anti Semitic either. I like Palestinians, Lebanese (Phoenicians?) Syrians, Arabs in general, and some Jews. Etc. Those I have met seem honourable people. Not so keen on the Israelis though. With that Mean Streak/ Psychopathic tendencies/ Chosen race claptrap and all that. No wonder the world in general is by now turning against them. By world I mean us citizens, not our wretched, morally bankrupt leaders. One or two exceptions amongst leaders, and Israelis, I know. It is is absolutely wrong for kind hearted, decent people to be vilified for condemning Israel’s Genocide. Usually by some… Read more »
Have you met all 10 million Israeli citizens? A fifth are Arabs, do your generalisations apply to them?
i didn’t generalise – read again
Labelling 10m people as having a “mean streak” isn’t a generalisation?
“one or two exceptions” I said. But all the evidence seems to point to a bitter or twisted take on life. Whenever I see interviews with Israeli politicians they seem full of hate not only for Palestine, but for the Interviewer. They Destroy a whole Culture. Schools, Hospitals, Historical sites. Peoples Homes and Loved Ones. The list is endless. I realise the British establishment are as much to blame over many years. Not in my name though. I don’t like the Israeli state but am not anti Jew. I once had a Jewish Girl friend. Still a friend. One of… Read more »
So your final solution is the expulsion of ten million people from the region?
Have you ever actually met an Israeli?
A few Zionists only, very strange people.
One barged into our trolley in a Supermarket because we were going too slow. The Chosen People !
I read Al Jazeera and Middle East Monitor most days, that gives some insight. Blowing people to bits with White Phosphorous Bombs.
We have it in glorious technicolour you know, chapter and verse.
You can’t defend the Indefensible.
I qualified the post by saying that there are exceptions, but I don’t think that many
Lovely response.
diolch yn fawr iawn!
Zionism is a huge cause for concern to human life. Using a whole faith to protect those who have created a genocide, is deeply disgusting and unfair on those Jewish who look for better.Tories or Labour, both funded by Israel to keep the lie alive
Hi Penny, this has literally nothing to do with antisemitism and everything to do with clamping down on pro-Palestine people, and Palestinians themselves.
Stop using Jews as a political football, you pathetic charlatan.
All these words and not a single one about anyone who uses wild, false and inaccurate accusations of anti Semitism which itself presents the most acute danger to Jewish people around the world. I am referring to the anti Semites in chief. The death cult genocidal hate mob so called ‘government’ of the state of Israel, calling people like me and millions more around the globe, racists. This not only dilutes the true meaning of anti Semitism, applicable to many more peoples other than Jewish people by the way, but it stokes anger and renders the term meaningless. Mordaunt and… Read more »
Interesting to hear that Jews are being held back from success in so many areas when they are also one of the most high-achieving and influential ethnic minorities that exists. I mean, when they say women or brown people are oppressed they usually offer some statistics, from paid on average x% less to y% more likely to be a victim of particular crimes etc, in order to make the point. I look forward to seeing the evidence that Jews are oppressed.
Not all Jewish people are high-level achievers, and such stereotypes can fuel antisemitism by promoting the false narrative that Jews are uniformly powerful or privileged. Jewish communities are frequently subjected to online abuse, often driven by conspiracy theories such as the so-called “globalist elite” or “Zionist cabal,” which portray Jews as secretly controlling world events.
“In the last year, there were 121 religious hate crimes per 10,000 population targeted at Jewish people, the highest rate for any religious group, and up from 57 per 10,000 the previous year. The next highest rate was for hate crimes targeted at Muslims, with 10 per 10,000 population, up from 9 per 10,000. ‘Other religion’ had a rate of 14 religious hate crimes per 10,000 population.”
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-year-ending-march-2024/hate-crime-england-and-wales-year-ending-march-2024
Not all Jewish people support the criminal actions of the Israeli government, including Gaza. Jewish communities are diverse, with a wide range of political and moral views on Israel and its policies. At the same time, it’s crucial not to dismiss or downplay reports of antisemitism, as doing so can undermine genuine efforts to combat hatred. Conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, a tactic often used by certain pro-Israel advocacy groups, risks silencing legitimate dissent and blurring the line between political critique and racial or religious prejudice.
I’m not against the Jews but I disagree with what their government is doing. Am I antisemitic? I’m not against the North Korean but I disagree with what their government does. I am not anti American but I disagree with what is happening politically over there. Please would someone explain to me what antisemitism is/means?
It depends what long-term outcome you want.
Isreal stopping their genocide and ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the West Bank?
That’s short-term. What long-term outcome do you want?
Sometimes you have start with smaller steps to reach a 2 state solution.
If everyone can’t agree on the destination there’s no point starting the journey. Constantly kicking the can down the road is why nothing has changed and why Israel just does whatever it needs to stay safe.
Stop the killing first. Though I think the only solution the zionists want is zion all to themselves. That is why you cannot condemn the genocide, blame everyone else for not solving the problem that was created by the zionists and then just annihilate the Palestinians. The world is watching, we are praying, for each evil act committed, let there be retribution from our Lord, the one true God.
The retribution is surely destined for those trying so hard to deny a people their promised land, as accepted by all the Abrahamic faiths.
You like to justify the murder of Palestinians every day. You seem to be a very sick individual.
There would be no deaths without Iran sponsored Hamas putting innocent civilians in harms way.
The two state solution and illegal settlers prosecuted and properties and land returned to Palestinians. Isreal would be to have half of the land and half to the Palestinian people. Maybe split the nation between North and South. With a demilitarised zone between the two nations. Jerusalem to become an internationally controlled city, along the lines of the way Berlin was controlled post World War 2. With areas controlled and policed by multinational forces. Isreal to declare its nuclear arsenal and take part in international inspections like every other country in the world. Those who took part in both October’s… Read more »
I broadly agree with most of that.
Except anything that brings justice to the perpetrators of genocide.
Have you changed your mind about the Hague prosecutions then? I agreed with that.
No you didn’t and you know it. What does it feel to support a regime that kills children seeking aid daily?
I hope karma comes to visit you soon..
Why row back on the Tucker Plan? It was a reasonable starting point for negotiations and my main concern was I wanted a better deal for the Palestinians.
What better deal?
The opportunity to simply divide the land fairly and equitably in two has passed with the extremist takeover of the Israeli government. The world is responsible for that missed opportunity. So the world must now buy – on highly generous terms – enough land from the neighbours to allow for the creation of two states without significantly diminishing Israel (beyond any land lost in returning to an equivalent area defined by the 1967 borders). And by insisting that a new Palestine was equal in size and resources to Israel, this would result in a bigger and better Palestine than the… Read more »
I agree.
We have a plan. Tucker plan.
And it sounds like a good one.
I pray to Allah that this happens very quickly, Allah willing. Please Allah help us and help them with the plan.
Aameen.
Land is not always important, human lives are.
I would say Penny Mordaunt is looking to boost her profile in public life. I just wish discussion around this topic would clearly differentiate between being anti Israeli Government and that warmonger Netenyahu and being Anti Jewjsh people and therefore Anti semitic. They are NOT the same thing! There are many Jewish people who disapprove of Netenyahu and the genocide he and the IDF are carrying out in Gaza. Are they then auto anti semitic? There has to be a distinction in discussions or any sort of hope for peace will be sunk in a mire of accusations of Anti… Read more »
They are not being locked up for expressing their opinions, Penny…
This review is a total farce. The weaponization of Antisemitism to cancel debate or criticism of Israel is an afront to freespeech. No similar review into Islamophobia by Penny Mordaunt I see? The Conservative party have a real problem with Islamophobia as do Reform UK. So I suggest she look closer to home and get her house in order. But If indeed there’s any rise in Antisemitism in Britain, this lies solely at the door of Israel for its murderous actions. The British Board of Jews for their silent complicity, and those apologists of genocide. Not supporters of Palestine who… Read more »
well said
Quote: But If indeed there’s any rise in Antisemitism in Britain, this lies solely at the door of Israel for its murderous actions. The British Board of Jews for their silent complicity, and those apologists of genocide. This is like saying that the sharp rise in Islamophobia during the early 2000s lies solely at the door of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. No it lies solely at the door of those who incite hatred. The British Board of Jews do not represent all Jewish people, the same way that the Muslim Council of Britain does not represent all Muslims.… Read more »
As a Welsh Jewish woman, I feel that Penny and others are confusing the opposition to the actions of Israel and the support for Palestine with all Jews in general. Firstly not all Jews are Zionists and many are totally opposed what is happening in Gaza and this needs to be understood by those who are using this as an excuse for those making antisemitic comments and those using it as an excuse to silence opposition to Israel.
The fact that Lord Mann the Government’s anti-semitism advisor will be chairing the “independent” commission tells you all you would expect from any recommendations!