politics
Faith Leaders Sign Open Letter Calling Antisemitism 'A Problem For All Of Us To Fix'
Faith leaders from multiple religions and prominent figures from business, sport and media signed a Together Coalition letter describing recent violence against Jews as "a nightmare from another time." The letter follows a string of attacks on Jewish people and sites in the UK, including stabbings in Golders Green and the torching of Hatzola ambulances.
May 5, 11:53 AM·2m read6 sources
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An open letter stating antisemitism is “a problem for all of us to fix” was published by the Together Coalition. The letter was signed by faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities as well as leading figures from business, sport and media.
The letter said: “This is not a problem for Jewish people to have to respond to.” It added: “This country belongs to you as much as any of us.”
Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, said extremists are trying to divide communities on the basis of race or religion. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said all of society must tackle the “crisis” of antisemitism. Starmer hosted a summit of leaders from police, arts and universities on the issue.
Two Jewish men, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were stabbed in Golders Green, north London. A man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbings. The same man is also charged with attempted murder for an earlier attack on a Somali man in South London.
In October 2025 two Jewish people were killed and three left in serious condition after a car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester. One of the men killed was shot by police.
Four Jewish charity-owned Hatzola ambulances were set on fire in the car park of a synagogue in Golders Green in March 2026. The Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London was attacked and a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through the window of Kenton United Synagogue shortly afterwards.
Police are investigating whether the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right is formally linked to the Iranian government. The group has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks. The UK government banned the group Palestine Action under a terrorism statute.
