News
Government 'considering' shul security funding in response to JC campaign
February 26, 2015 07:00
The government is considering whether to set up a fund to cover the costs of synagogue security in response to the JC’s Secure our Shuls campaign.
Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said on Wednesday that ministers are looking into what more could be done to protect British Jews and Jewish institutions.
The JC launched the campaign last week urging MPs to call on the government to back the recommendation of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism and set up a fund.
Published earlier this month, the report called for funding to “cover both capital and revenue costs for the security of British synagogues”.
Mr Brokenshire said: “The government takes the safety and security of the Jewish community extremely seriously, and we are considering the issues raised by the JC’s Secure our Shuls campaign.
“The Home Secretary has recently met representatives from the Crown Prosecution Service and the College of Policing to make sure that the law is enforced when it comes to antisemitic hate crime.”
He said police had increased operations in response to possible threats to the Jewish community. “They are being closely co-ordinated with the Community Security Trust to offer appropriate security advice and guidance in local areas,” Mr Brokenshire said.
“Together with the police we are carefully considering what more can and should be done to protect the community and its institutions in the current climate.”
The JC has contacted all 650 MPs in the past week asking for their support for the SOS campaign. But only 42 have been prepared to put their name to it. 608 have refused to express support for state funding for shul security.
Those who back the plan include Northern Ireland Minister Theresa Villiers, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, and Energy Secretary Edward Davey.