'Last week's attack on Chatham Memorial Synagogue - a Medway Liberal Democrat Response'

'Last week's attack on Chatham Memorial Synagogue - a Medway Liberal Democrat Response'

Last Friday's (18th August) attack on Chatham Memorial Synagogue, has left the whole community shocked. The Synagogue has been marred by anti-social behaviour over the past four years with attacks seeing the front door covered in excrement, its CCTV vandalised and the desecration of its cemetery. This is the fifth such attack.

See BBC News report: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg3l9x8l7rro

Acts of this kind challenge the values of free, democratic and inclusive societies and has no place in Medway. The Council, formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of Anti-Semitism, demonstrates the Council’s commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities, to support them against the contemporary challenges they face, and sends a clear message that anti-Semitic behaviour will not be tolerated in Medway.

Alan Wells, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said “Not only as a resident in the High Street, but having campaigned in the area, I know there is strong community agreement that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. Acts of this kind challenge the values of free, democratic and inclusive societies and has no place in Medway”.

Medway Liberal Democrats welcomed the Medway Council’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of Anti-Semitism.

The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, is as follows: ‘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.’ 

We recognise the above definition as an invaluable tool for public bodies to understand how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century. Liberal Democrats are committed in tackling the appalling rise in hate crimes in all its forms and will continue to fight against prejudice and discrimination, to ensure equality and protection for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We will continue to condemn the attacks on the synagogue, as with any attacks on a religious building.

ENDS

Alan Wells, Press Officer, Medway Liberal Democrats

Notes for Editors:

In 2016, the British Government became the first in the world to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism. Attacks on people based on religion, disability and transgender people have risen year on year.

Kent Police statistics show since 2016, there have been more than 21 crimes reported from the county's synagogues. The statistics shows last year, 159 crimes occurred at churches; 71 of these were arson and criminal damage. 78 reports of criminal damage and arson at religious buildings were reported to Kent Police last year (KM Online source).