A Rabbi from Reading has warned that antisemitism is a ‘present threat’ to Jews in Great Britain.
Rabbi Zvi Solomons is the leader of the Jewish Community of Berkshire.
He and his family are based in Reading, and he leads the Orthodox practitioners of Judaism in the county.
Rabbi Solomons has reacted to the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, Australia, where at least 16 people were killed during a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 14.
He said: “Jews have had to live with threats to our security for many centuries.
“After the Sydney and Manchester attacks, those of us who thought that these things happen elsewhere have had to recognise the reality of antisemitism, as a present threat to us, here in Britain.
“Almost everyone in my community believes that the hatred of Israel and opposition to its existence, voiced in street demonstrations which call for a “globalised intifada” and “death to the IDF”, have led to a normalisation of violence and encouraged such attacks.
“Hatred for Jews has always morphed to fit the current politics. Today it is expressed as hatred for the Jewish State.”
The attack in Sydney took place while Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, which commemorates the reclamation of Jerusalem following the Jewish Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in 164 BC and the rededication of the Second Temple.
Following the attack, Thames Valley Police announced that there will be increased officer presence at worship sites.
Rabbi Solomons said: “We appreciate that the Thames Valley Police have increased patrols at Jewish communal premises, and we are consulting with them and strengthening our own security provision.
“We should not have to live with this. Jews have been murdered in England for the first time since our readmission in 1656, merely for existing.
“Please reach out to your Jewish friends, and let them know they are not alone. Report antisemitic incidents to the police – even if Jews aren’t present. None of us should tolerate hatred of this kind in our society.”
Rabbi Solomons referred to the readmission of Jewish people to England by Oliver Cromwell, after Jewish people were expelled from this country by King Edward I in 1290.
The expulsion was preceded by waves of antisemitic violence, such as the massacre at York in 1190, where an estimated 150 Jewish people were killed.
A public celebration of Hanukkah will take place at Trafalgar Square in London from 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 16, an event that is expected to be a rallying point for Jewish people in the country.
Dr Jonathan Romain, the former Rabbi of the Maidenhead Synagogue, posting on X, said: “Dear Bondi gunmen, although I am celebrating Hanukkah every night at home this year, I was not intending to go to the big public London celebration of it..but now I shall..to show solidarity with Australian Jews..and to show that you can do harm but we won’t let you intimidate.”
