A “moment of reckoning” for British Muslims and a “bruising year” for British Jews – reports on the impact of the war in Gaza on communities here
As the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks approaches, the British Muslim community has found itself at a crossroads. Support for Palestinians led to dismay at the politicians’ failure to call for a ceasefire, all of which has led to “a moment of reckoning and conflict between British foreign policy and their identity”, according to community leaders who spoke to the Religion Media Centre. The Islamophobia Response Unit, which records hate crime, says name-calling and threats are so commonplace that it has given up recording Islamophobia online. Read Maira Butt’s report here
Britain’s Jewish community has been “bruised” by the impact of the Hamas attacks of 7 October last year, and many feel unsettled about the future. The storming of Israel’s borders by Hamas fighters, killing more than 1,100 people and taking another 200 hostage, sparked a massive Israeli retaliation which has left more than 40,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The horrors of the bloody conflict have made global headlines. So, too, have the regular anti-Israel demonstrations and the massive rise in antisemitism since then, with incidents reaching the highest total ever reported for the January to June period. Read Lianne Kolirin’s report here.
Our media briefing today at 1200 picks up some of the thoughts expressed in these two articles, with Muslims and Jews explaining the impact on their communities over the past year since 7 October 2023. More information from: [email protected]
Report says antisemitism more prevalent in UK and Europe than data suggests
The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) says antisemitism is much more prevalent in the UK and Europe than current data suggests and it’s calling on the Government to invest more in research to establish the real depth of the problem. The policy paper details an assessment of data on antisemitism since the attacks on Israel on 7 October last year to determine how the conflict in the Middle East is affecting Jewish life. It has compared data on antisemitic incidents from several countries and says there is “clear evidence of a common and dramatic spike in the final quarter of 2023”. The paper also claims that Jews have been deeply affected a culture of “ambient antisemitism” since the Hamas attacks and outbreak of war, marked by incidents such as the defacing or tearing down posters of Israeli hostages, creating a context that feels threatening and hostile to many Jewish people. Other findings indicate there has been a significant increase in sympathy for the Palestinians among young people and those on the political left since 7 October, and that levels of sympathy for Israel are much lower. The paper concludes that the lack of sympathy for Israel is likely to lead to many Jews feeling a greater sense of alienation from the societies in which they live over time.
Jewish organisations say BBC is institutionally hostile to Israel
Three prominent Jewish groups including the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, and the Community Security Trust have endorsed a report which claims the BBC has become “institutionally hostile to Israel”. The report, by the former BBC Director of Television, Danny Cohen, criticises the corporation for making “false and damaging claims about Israel’s conduct of this war” and having fuelled “the flames of antisemitism that have spread across the world”. Mr Cohen’s report calls on the BBC to commit to an independent inquiry into its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict and to adopt a “zero tolerance of antisemitism and bias” that would include a “one-strike policy” with the power to remove a journalist from reporting on the war. The three groups have backed the findings from the report in a letter to The Times. A BBC spokeswoman said: “The Israel-Gaza conflict is a polarising and difficult story to cover and we understand there are a range of views. The BBC has focused on reporting the conflict impartially, bringing audiences breaking news, insight and analysis, and reflecting all perspectives”
Christian Aid warns Lebanon is on precipice of humanitarian calamity
The international development agency Christian Aid says Lebanon is on the “precipice of a humanitarian calamity”, as Israeli armed forces prepare for a ground invasion, reports the Independent Catholic News. Julie Mehigan Head of Asia, Middle East & Europe for Christian Aid said: “We are gravely concerned about the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon. The patterns we’re seeing from the attacks of the last few days are reminiscent of what we’ve seen in Gaza these last few months… We are on the precipice of yet another humanitarian calamity in the region.” Such fears have also been expressed by the Muslim Council of Britain. In a statement on their website the MCB urges “our government and global leaders to work towards an immediate cessation of violence with increasing fears of a full-scale war in the Middle East. Israel’s relentless breaches of international law and the killing of innocent civilians must stop and be taken to account.” Speaking at the conclusion of his visit to Belgium on Sunday, Pope Francis also appealed to all parties involved in the ongoing war in the Middle East “to cease fire immediately in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, and in Israel. He said, “Hostages must be released, and humanitarian aid must be allowed.” The Pope launched his appeal after saying he continues “to follow with pain and great concern the escalation and intensification of the conflict in Lebanon”.
Appeal Court to hear case of Christian primary teacher sacked for criticising teaching of LGBT+ relationships
The Telegraph reports on the case of a Christian teacher who says she was sacked from her school because of her religious beliefs and whose appeal against her dismissal is due to heard at the Royal Courts of Justice. 47-year-old Kristie Higgs was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor’s School in Fairford, in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts criticising plans to teach LGBT+ relationships in primary schools. Mrs Higgs took the school to an employment tribunal the following year, arguing she had been unlawfully discriminated against because of her Christian beliefs, but the tribunal concluded that the school lawfully dismissed her. Her lawyers have since successfully won the right to have her case heard by Court of Appeal judges. One of her original posts referred to “brainwashing our children”, adding: “Children will be taught that all relationships are equally valid and ‘normal’, so that same-sex marriage is exactly the same as traditional marriage, and gender is a matter of choice, not biology, so that it’s up to them what sex they are. We say again this is a vicious form of totalitarianism aimed at suppressing Christianity and removing it from the public arena.” The school had denied dismissing the mother-of-two because of her religious beliefs and said she was sacked because of the language used in the posts.
Cardinal criticises Vatican service for being a “checklist of woke and gender ideology”
German Cardinal Gerhard Muller has severely criticised plans for a “penitential celebration” at the Vatican today, saying it reads like a checklist of woke and gender ideology. The service, presided over by Pope Francis, includes a list of sins God will be asked to forgive, such as sin against creation, sin against migrants, sin of using doctrine as stones to be hurled and what is described as “sin against synodality – the lack of listening, communion and participation against all”. In an article for Kath.net, Cardinal Müller said the list of sins reads like a checklist “ somewhat laboriously disguised as Christian” and will promote “un-Catholic ideologies”. The event has been jointly organised by the Diocese of Rome, the General Secretariat of the Synod and the Union of Superiors General. In a joint announcement, they said the liturgy “directs the Church’s inner gaze to the faces of new generations. Indeed it will be the young people present in the Basilica who will receive the sign that the future of the Church is theirs, and that the request for forgiveness is the first step of a faith-filled and missionary credibility that must be established.”
US report suggests correlation between corrupt governments and Christian persecution
A new study claims to show a correlation between high levels of government corruption and increased persecution of Christian communities across several nations. The report, titled “Corruption and Christian Persecution” is highlighted in The Christian Post and has been released by the US based International Christian Concern, which monitors Christian persecution. It’s claimed that corrupt governments often fail to protect minority rights, leading to environments where Christian persecution is either ignored or tacitly supported. The report corroborates various studies defining global corruption as the misuse of public power for private gain. Stressing the need for a concerted international response, the report points to a direct association between corrupt practices within government bodies and discriminatory policies against Christians citing examples such as Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Cathedrals put on music events and talks celebrating black history month
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month – a national celebration which promotes and celebrates the contributions of people with African and Caribbean heritage to British society. As part of the church’s contribution black composers, musicians and singers are to be celebrated as part of a series of events, from exhibitions and lectures to services and study days marking Cathedrals and churches across the country. An Evensong for Black History Month will be held at Gloucester Cathedral featuring music by black composers, alongside readings and prayers for racial justice. St Albans Cathedral will host a talk with broadcaster and academic Dr Robert Beckford on the theme of social justice and gospel music. At Liverpool Cathedral, the broadcaster and academic Professor David Olusoga will give the Black History Month lecture. Wells Cathedral is holding a ‘pop-up’ photography exhibition The Missing Chapter: Black Chronicles portraying people of African, Caribbean, and South Asian descent in Victorian Britain, including Samuel Crowther, the first black African Bishop in the Anglican church. The Archbishop of Canterbury is to preside at Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral with music from St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School Gospel Choir and the Nigerian Chaplaincy Worship Team, and the sermon preached by the Dean of Gloucester, Andrew Zihni. A panel discussion will be held afterwards on the theme ‘music at the heart of change.’
