UK: Home Secretary insists work must be done to prevent Jewish emigration

Home Secretary Theresa May has said it is time to “redouble efforts” to ensure there is no escalation in anti-Semitism in Britain and that the Jewish community feels safe.

May admitted that she never thought the day would come when Jews in the country said they were scared to stay, but acknowledged that the attacks in a Jewish supermarket in Paris, in which four Jews were killed, served as a reminder of the threat currently posed.

She described the attack as a “chilling reminder” that anti-Semitism is a major issue, not just in France but in the UK too. She said that she was aware some people within the Jewish community in Britain were “fearful” and worried about their families at present, admitting that she would never have thought there was a possibility they would see emigration as an option.

The home secretary went on to say that wiping out anti-Semitism in the UK was a priority so it was time to redouble the efforts. She pointed out that in Europe many Jews were questioning their futures while large numbers had already emigrated, but insisted that should never happen in Britain.

May noted that the UK would not be the UK without Jews, just as it would not be the same country without its Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and people of other faiths.