News

Joy for rabbi and campaigners as council agrees to take in 50 Syrians

October 1, 2015 10:58
Rabbi Qassim Birk

By

Rosa Doherty,

Rosa Doherty

1 min read

A London council has agreed to resettle Syrian refugees after a campaign led by a local rabbi.

Rebecca Qassim Birk, rabbi at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, headed a Citizens UK effort to get Barnet Council to take in the refugees.

Council leader Richard Cornelius announced that the local authority would accept 50 Syrians at a meeting at the synagogue on Sunday, attended by 200 people.

He told the gathering: "Rabbi, the answer is yes," acknowledging that the campaign had pricked his conscience.

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