One year on from Hamas’ attack on Israel, we brought together British Muslim and Jewish community leaders to find out how the war had impacted life in this country.
Their discussion illustrates how each group “mirrored each other”. Both communities have faced spikes in hate crime, leading to feelings across the board that Britain is not a safe place anymore. Social media was “absolutely bitter” and physical violence culminated in riots targeting mosques across England. In particular, speakers gave examples of the way children have been caught up in the hatred, with swastikas painted on school desks, or Muslim children name-called and ostracised.
But both communities have found some hope, in quiet acts of kindness from one faith group to another, stronger relationships of support, and lighter moments of friendship.
Leo Devine hosted this discussion with:
- Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, convenor of the Reform Beit Din, the Jewish law court for Reform Judaism in Britain
- Dr Jonathan Boyd, Executive Director of Jewish Policy Research, on mits report suggesting a culture of ‘ambient antisemitism’ since 7 October
- Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust, which provides security advice and training for Jewish organisations
- Ibrahim Syed, a co-ordinator at the Liverpool Region Mosque Network and founder of Wirral Deen Centre
- Sheila el Dieb Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership group, engaged in community relations work with the City Council and police liaison
- Mohammed Ali Amla, from Solutions Not Sides
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