Combating antisemitism at home and abroad

Official Statements

• British Government, November 9: “Thank you, Lord Mann.

  And thank you to you, and the Antisemitism Policy Trust, for bringing us together today - and for your continued work to confront antisemitism.

  I am very pleased to welcome you to Lancaster House.

  As everyone here knows, antisemitism is not an abstract problem.

  It has consequences for the everyday lives of individuals, families and communities.

  For people who hesitate before wearing a visible symbol of their identity.

  For parents concerned about what their children may encounter at school or university.

  And for Jewish professionals, artists and sports supporters who should be able to participate fully in every part of our national life, openly and without fear.

  When Jewish people feel they have to hide who they are - or think twice about where they go and what they do - that should concern us all.

  So all of us, across every part of our society, have a responsibility to respond.

  That is why this Government remains unequivocally committed to combating antisemitism, wherever and whenever it occurs.

  Today’s conference rightly focuses on what we can do here in the UK.

  From my perspective at the FCDO, there is another part of the picture: that antisemitism does not stop at national borders.

  Hatred, conspiracy theories and intimidation travel rapidly between countries, particularly online.

  Last week, I joined the Foreign Secretary and representatives of the J7 Global Task Force here in London.

  What struck me from that conversation was how much of this challenge is shared.

  Antisemitism takes different forms in different places, but no country is responding in isolation.

  And neither should we.

  We can learn from one another. We can share what works. And, together, we can strengthen our collective response.

  That is where the FCDO can make a practical contribution.

  Through our diplomatic network and international partnerships, we can share approaches that are working in the UK, learn from what others are doing, and speak out against antisemitism wherever it occurs.

  That includes our work through the UN and OSCE, and the work of our Special Envoys for Freedom of Religion or Belief and Post-Holocaust Issues.

  The principle behind this work is simple but fundamental: that everyone should be free to live according to their faith or belief, openly and without fear.

  For Jewish people, that means being able to live Jewish lives openly and proudly.

  And this should be a two-way conversation.

  Where approaches in the UK are making a practical difference, including the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, we should share them.

  Where we can learn from others, we should listen.

  And where there are common challenges that demand collective action, we should work together.

  Ultimately, what matters is not only the quality of the discussion in these rooms, but what follows.

  Whether institutions change where they need to.

  Whether responsibility is accepted rather than passed on.

  And, above all, whether Jewish people experience a real and lasting difference in their daily lives.

  The responsibility to confront antisemitism belongs to all of us.

  Government must lead. Institutions must act. And throughout, we must listen to Jewish communities and work alongside them.

  So I hope today’s discussions are candid and practical. That we are honest about what is working, equally honest about what is not, and clear about what should happen next.

  The FCDO is proud to welcome you to Lancaster House. And we will take the lessons from today into our work with partners overseas.

  I shall now hand over to my colleague, Minister Eshalomi.

  Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

  Telephone 020 7008 3100

  Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.”