Both sides of Barnet Council have come together to find the best way to respond to increased rates of anti-Semitism in the borough.
Over the weekend of Friday 20-Sunday 22 January, a series of anti-Semitic hate crimes and attacks, including a woman pelted with eggs, were reported around Edgware and Mill Hill.
As the world commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day over the week, London mayor Sadiq Khan, former prime minister Tony Blair and local security charity Shomrim were among those to condemn the incidents.
READ MORE: Tony Blair speaks to European Parliament of 'shame' over anti-Semitic crimes in Barnet
Council leader Richard Cornelius said: “The attacks on members of the Jewish community in Barnet were deplorable and cowardly.
“Sadly it shows, despite Barnet’s well-earned reputation for tolerance and diversity, there is still work to do.
“Anti-Semitism has no place in our society, whether in politics or the wider community.”
In time for tonight’s (January 31) council meeting, Conservative councillor for Edgware Brian Gordon and Labour leader of the opposition Cllr Barry Rawlings have announced similar responses.
They will both call on the council to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) official definition of anti-Semitism.
IHRA guidelines say: “Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
“Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The definition is supported by major bodies of the Jewish community including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the European Jewish Congress.
Cllr Rawlings, who represents Coppetts, said: “In the week of the Holocaust Memorial Day when we remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust, we have just had a spate of cowardly anti-Semitic attacks take place in Barnet.
“It is a reminder we must always be vigilant against crimes motivated by hate and the racism underpinning it.
“We must never forget the Holocaust did not begin with killing, it began with words.
“I look forward to our meeting adopting this internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism and its guidelines.”
In July last year, following the EU referendum result, the council passed a hate crime motion condemning any crime committed against someone because disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
Last October, they launched several new community-based hate crime reporting centres so victims have an alternative way of reporting to a local trusted community organisation.
A list of the centres, where residents can report incidents of hate crimes, can be found here.
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