The 900-member London Jewish Legal Network has urged colleagues in the profession to confront antisemitism following yesterday’s stabbings in Golders Green, London.
In a statement the network, chaired by Duran Ross, partner at Lewis Silkin, said: 'We pay tribute to the volunteers from Shomrim, Hatzola, the police, the emergency services and members of the public, who responded with courage and professionalism. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected.
'For many of our families, this country was where we came to escape persecution, build lives, and practise our faith in peace. Jewish people have lived here for generations and have contributed to this country - including greatly to the legal profession.
'Yet today it is undeniable that Jews in Britain are living under daily threat. Innocent people are being targeted for one reason alone: because they are Jews. That should shame us all.
'This cannot be met with sympathy alone. It cannot be answered with cautious words, safe statements or familiar platitudes. We call on the government to take active and urgent steps to protect its Jewish citizens. We call on our colleagues across the legal profession, and beyond, to stand with the Jewish community. And we call on all people to confront antisemitism wherever it appears, without hesitation, qualification or excuse.'
Jonathan Hall KC, the government’s independent reviewer of counter-terrorism legislation, described the recent wave of antisemitic attacks as a national security emergency. He told the BBC: 'I think it’s perhaps fair to say that we are now at a point at which the government needs to start to take more risks as to what it’s prepared to do, and that it’s not simply enough to offer thoughts and prayers and to support the police investigation.'
The prime minister said the criminal justice system must respond in a 'swift, agile and visible way'. Sir Keir Starmer said: 'There’s no getting away from the fact that this was not a one-off. This has been a series of attacks on our Jewish community, particularly in recent weeks, and there is a very deep sense of anxiety, of concern about security, about safety, about identity frankly.'
