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Police and security groups combine in new organisation to tackle antisemitism
The British Council for Countering Antisemitism (BCCA) was launched this week
October 18, 2017 13:45
The British Council for Countering Antisemitism (BCCA) was launched this week
October 18, 2017 13:45Six Jewish groups combating antisemitism in the UK have come together as part of a new umbrella organisation, intended to help them fight Jew-hatred more effectively.
The founder members of the new British Council for Countering Antisemitism (BCCA) are the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), the Jewish Police Association, the Kehilah Security and Protection Association (Kaspa), and three local branches of the Shomrim volunteer security group.
In a joint statement, the member organisations said the new group “aims to foster cooperation between… members, enabling them to speak with a single voice on important matters and providing a forum through which to devise and deliver new strategies and frameworks for countering antisemitism in the United Kingdom".
A spokesperson for the BCCA, which was launched on Tuesday, confirmed the new group “is an equal partnership between all of its members, and all decisions are made jointly… including any public statements.
“The BCCA will begin by discussing frameworks for collaboration on incident reporting, victim support, information sharing and other such operational matters.”
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, Stamford Hill Shomrim president, praised the formation of the new group, saying: “At a time when anti-Jewish attacks and hatred of minorities is being highlighted, it is very welcome that various organisations in the field of protecting the Jewish community have come together to pool their resources and their talents to enhance and strengthen our shared response to the scourge of antisemitism.”
Gary Ost, Chief Executive of Shomrim North West London, said: "Shomrim North West London is proud to be taking our place alongside other organisations which protect British Jews from racial hatred. The British Council for Countering Antisemitism will provide a united front against the modern forms of this ancient hatred."
Gideon Falter, Campaign Against Antisemitism chairman, said he was “delighted to be co-founding this initiative with partners who share our dedication to keeping British Jews safe.
“Establishing the British Council for Countering Antisemitism is an important step in ensuring that we challenge antisemitism from a position of unity and strength.”
