Chief Rabbi says ‘crack down on hate speech’
The Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has said the country needs to “crack down on hate speech in a far more forceful and emphatic way than we previously have been doing”, in the wake of the mass killing at Bondi Beach and risiing antisemitism across the globe. Sir Ephraim is chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, and is flying out to Australia to be with the grieving Jewish community during their seven day period of mourning. He told Sky News that more must be done against hate speech, in terms of policing, arrests, controlling “poisonous” social media and tackling the cause of antisemitism.
Multiple demands for ‘globalise the intifada’ chant to be banned
Sir Ephraim was among many others who have called for the chant “globalise the Intifada” to be made unlawful – he said it had led to the attack on the Manchester synagogue and Bondi Beach. On Newsnight, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said declaring it illegal was not a matter for him, but he agreed that taking more security measures did not tackle the root cause of antisemitism: “Globalise the Intifada is not an expression simply of solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause. Globalise the Intifada is received by and seen as support for terrorist action against Jewish people”. Journalist Jonathan Freedland, who is Jewish, spoke of fear and anger in the community and said Palestinian solidarity movements should do some soul searching to understand what that phrase means to Jewish people – and others: “Clearly, there are people around the world who hear that as some kind of rallying call”. He told Newsnight that questions have to be asked as to whether violent jihadist discourse had been “indulged and allowed to seep into the collective discourse in marches on the streets, on university campuses, for two solid years”. Lots of people need to answer that, he said.
British Jews stand in solidarity with Australian Jewish community
A large gathering of Jewish people met outside the Houses of Parliament, to light a Menorah candle for the second day of Hanukkah. Government minister Ashley Dalton was heckled as she pledged support for the Jewish people, amid shouts of “we want action not words”. The Campaign Against Antisemitism CEO, Gideon Falter, called for organisations to be banned for spreading hate and an end the radicalisation of young people. In Manchester, around 200 people including civic leaders, gathered outside Heaton Park synagogue, scene of the recent attack when two people were killed, to light the Menorah and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community at Bondi Beach. Rabbi Daniel Walker said they were reclaiming the spot “where evil stood”, as a place of joy and light.
Christian leaders offer sympathy and prayers
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, has written to UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to express his heartfelt sympathy to, and prayers for, the Jewish community after the attack on Bondi Beach. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said he was shocked and horrified and stands against antisemitism in all its forms. The Methodist Church issued a prayer: “May the deep darkness of this day be met by responses of respect, compassion and solidarity as we continue to draw alongside our sisters and brothers of Jewish faith in our prayers”. Pope Leo asked for prayers for those suffering due to war and violence, especially victims of the terrorist attack in Australia, saying: “Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.”
Australian Jews criticise federal government for missteps over antisemitism
The Guardian reports on the impact of the Bondi Beach attack on Jews in Australia, with plans for Hanukkah celebrations cancelled and buildings closed as precautionary measures. The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies president, David Ossip, told the media that “antisemitism has well and truly found a place here in our beloved country” and criticised the federal government for “missteps” on antisemitism. Article is here
Other news
Hong Kong editor and committed Catholic Jimmy Lai faces life in prison
Jimmy Lai, the Catholic human rights advocate and newspaper editor in Hong Kong, has been convicted of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, under China’s national security laws. This was for his work as editor and publisher of the pro-democracy newspaper “Apple Daily”, and for his advocacy for democracy and the rule of law. He is 78 and has been in custody awaiting trial since 2020, in declining health, and his conviction means he faces a potential sentence of life in prison. His family is appealing to the British government to secure his release, and the case has been raised with China by Keir Starmer and President Trump. Mr Lai is a British national and a practising Roman Catholic, having converted to Catholicism in 1997, and then baptised by Cardinal Joseph Zen, the emeritus bishop of Hong Kong. Supporters and commentators have said that Lai’s witness to human rights and human dignity reflects his Catholic convictions.
Charity set up to offer Muslims advice on ‘a good death’
A charity to help Muslims receive “a good death” is being set up in the UK in March. The Al-Amal charity, set up by Nadia Khan, an NHS palliative care consultant, and Shakila Chowdhury, a Muslim chaplain from Birmingham, hopes to offer emotional support through a helpline, advice on palliative care, and guidance on culturally and religiously sensitive care pathways. They told Hyphen Online that the end-of-life journey can be immensely challenging for all patients and families, but for Muslims there are often additional barriers. Story is here
Unification Church leader a suspect in more bribery cases
South Korean police have raided the headquarters of the Unification Church, also known as The Moonies, and the residence of its leader, Han Hak-ja, aged 82, who is on trial charged with offering bribes to the former first lady. She is said to have offered gifts including a designer Chanel handbag and a Graff diamond necklace. Now police say she is also a suspect in a bribery case involving politicians from both ruling and opposition parties. Story here
Christmas decorations go up at the Vatican
The Christmas Tree and nativity scene have been put up in St. Peter’s Square, in a tradition that goes back to 1223. Religious and civil representatives from the dioceses that donated the tree and nativity scenes spoke at the inauguration event and met Pope Leo, who said nativity scenes and Christmas trees are “signs of faith and hope”.
World’s longest serving Sunday School teacher plans 75th nativity play
87-year-old Pam Knowles, who first started teaching children in the Sunday school at St Anne’s church, Aigburth, Liverpool 75 years ago, has been recognised by Guiness World Records as “the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher”. She was baptised, confirmed and married at the church and celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary there with her late husband. This weekend, she will organise her 75th Christmas nativity at the church. She started teaching in St Anne’s Sunday School in 1951 aged 13 and says nothing much has changed: “We offer play, craft, songs and Bible stories for 3-7 year olds. Each generation has enjoyed the same format and Bible stories. Favourites have been the birth of Jesus, Jonah and the whale and the garden of Eden. I think little children can relate to these stories and they often bring their own innocent take on the Bible, which is just wonderful”. The story is here
