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MPs urge action on anti-Semitism MPs urge action on anti-Semitism
(about 7 hours later)
Urgent action to tackle a rise in anti-Semitism in the UK is being called for by a cross-party group of MPs.Urgent action to tackle a rise in anti-Semitism in the UK is being called for by a cross-party group of MPs.
The panel of 14 MPs said the "disturbing" rise had been exacerbated by the situation in the Middle East.The panel of 14 MPs said the "disturbing" rise had been exacerbated by the situation in the Middle East.
They concluded that a minority of Islamist extremists in the UK had incited hatred against Jews.They concluded that a minority of Islamist extremists in the UK had incited hatred against Jews.
The panel's report has been welcomed by Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks who said the Jewish community would "fight prejudice in whatever form it takes". The panel's report has been welcomed by Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, who said the Jewish community would "fight prejudice in whatever form it takes".
Panel chair Denis McShane said the most worrying discovery was that anti-Semitism was entering the "mainstream".Panel chair Denis McShane said the most worrying discovery was that anti-Semitism was entering the "mainstream".
"Anti-Jewish sentiment is appearing in the everyday conversations of people who consider themselves neither racist nor prejudiced."Anti-Jewish sentiment is appearing in the everyday conversations of people who consider themselves neither racist nor prejudiced.
"This behaviour is driven by ignorance and complacency and allowing it to continue unchecked is not just a problem for the Jewish community but society as a whole," Mr McShane said."This behaviour is driven by ignorance and complacency and allowing it to continue unchecked is not just a problem for the Jewish community but society as a whole," Mr McShane said.
Key recommendations in the panel's 60-page report include improved recording of anti-Semitic incidents by the police, better education about anti-Semitism in schools, a crackdown on anti-Jewish activity on university campuses and action to prevent the spread of anti-Semitic material online.Key recommendations in the panel's 60-page report include improved recording of anti-Semitic incidents by the police, better education about anti-Semitism in schools, a crackdown on anti-Jewish activity on university campuses and action to prevent the spread of anti-Semitic material online.
Attacks on Jews peaked in 2004Attacks on Jews peaked in 2004
The All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism was set up in 2005 to investigate the nature and extent of contemporary anti-Semitism.The All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism was set up in 2005 to investigate the nature and extent of contemporary anti-Semitism.
It was established against a background of steadily rising anti-Semitic attacks which reached a peak of more than 530 incidents on members of the UK's 300,000 strong Jewish community in 2004.It was established against a background of steadily rising anti-Semitic attacks which reached a peak of more than 530 incidents on members of the UK's 300,000 strong Jewish community in 2004.
Since then the number of incidents have fallen but remain at high levels, according to figures from the Jewish-led Community Security Trust.Since then the number of incidents have fallen but remain at high levels, according to figures from the Jewish-led Community Security Trust.
'Multi-faceted''Multi-faceted'
In addition to more than 100 written submissions from organisations and individuals, the panel of MPs heard oral evidence in four sessions in February and March.In addition to more than 100 written submissions from organisations and individuals, the panel of MPs heard oral evidence in four sessions in February and March.
Among those who gave evidence were the then Home Secretary Charles Clarke, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, race watchdog chief Trevor Phillips and the former head of the Muslim Council of Britain Sir Iqbal Sacranie.Among those who gave evidence were the then Home Secretary Charles Clarke, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, race watchdog chief Trevor Phillips and the former head of the Muslim Council of Britain Sir Iqbal Sacranie.
I am used to verbal abuse on a regular basis 'Targeted for being Jewish'I am used to verbal abuse on a regular basis 'Targeted for being Jewish'
They called for the adoption of a clearer definition of anti-Semitism by the government and law enforcement agencies which reflected its "complex and multi-faceted" nature.They called for the adoption of a clearer definition of anti-Semitism by the government and law enforcement agencies which reflected its "complex and multi-faceted" nature.
"Anti-Semitism is not one dimensional. It is perpetrated in different ways by different groups within society and for this reason it is hard to identify," the report stated."Anti-Semitism is not one dimensional. It is perpetrated in different ways by different groups within society and for this reason it is hard to identify," the report stated.
The MPs said it was "inexcusable" that there was not a requirement for all police forces to record anti-Semitic incidents given that such a duty existed for racist crimes.The MPs said it was "inexcusable" that there was not a requirement for all police forces to record anti-Semitic incidents given that such a duty existed for racist crimes.
And they called for an investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service into the low number of charges being brought for anti-Semitic abuse saying fewer than one in ten incidents resulted in a prosecution.And they called for an investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service into the low number of charges being brought for anti-Semitic abuse saying fewer than one in ten incidents resulted in a prosecution.
The report also called for more research on the correlation between the conflict in the Middle East and attacks on Jews in the UK saying a greater understanding was necessary to tackle the problem.The report also called for more research on the correlation between the conflict in the Middle East and attacks on Jews in the UK saying a greater understanding was necessary to tackle the problem.