David Collins

"We pray for a speedy recovery of the victims stabbed earlier today in Golders Green in the latest vile antisemitic attack. Our thoughts are with them and their families. "Once again, Jews are being targeted on the streets of the UK simply for being Jewish. This must stop now! Heaton Park, Hatzola ambulances, Finchley Reform Synagogue, the old offices of Jewish Futures, Kenton United Synagogue… the list keeps growing. "Why is this not being treated as a national emergency? I again call on the government to recognise what is clear to so many: this is an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate. "Thank you to the heroes of Shomrim, Hatzola, the police, CST and the brave members of the public who acted quickly to apprehend this horrible individual. "When people stand on the streets of the UK screaming "Globalise the intifada" - this is the result. The intifada has truly been globalised and British Jews are paying the price." Saul Taylor President United Synagogue

Today the Prime Minister visited Kenton United Synagogue where he met with the Chief Rabbi, Kenton’s Rabbi Yehuda Black and Chair, Ruth Topper, together with Kenton members and our President, Saul Taylor, CEO, Jo Grose and COO, David Collins. The Prime Minister came to show his support and solidarity after the arson attack over the weekend. Sir Keir listened as Kenton’s Chair, Ruth Topper, recounted what it was like to be woken in the middle of the night to be told her synagogue had been firebombed and to see her shul cordoned off by police tape. One community member said that their father fought fascism 80 years ago and told his children they were now secure in Britain - but that is no longer the case. Members expressed fears for the safety of their children and grandchildren. We explained to the Prime Minister that the community won’t be cowed but some members feel anxious and we don’t want to keep building ever higher walls around our shuls. We are committed to protecting our staff and ensuring our members can live full Jewish lives but the ever-increasing cost of security – which has risen to over a million pounds a year beyond the government funding we receive via CST – means charitable funds are being spent on guards and CCTV equipment rather than Jewish engagement. We also explained to the Prime Minister that the Jewish community wants and expects actions. The proscription of the IRGC – a terrorist group responsible for attacks around the world – seems a basic bare minimum. We also raised outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood and doing more to stop hate preachers. We thanked the Prime Minister for joining us and we will continue to ensure our community’s concerns are heard at the highest levels of government to enable Jewish life in this country to thrive.