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Sajid Javid speaks of need for religious tolerance after 'breath-taking' visit to Western Wall
He became the first British minister to visit the Kotel in 19 years
July 3, 2019 14:20
He became the first British minister to visit the Kotel in 19 years
July 3, 2019 14:20Sajid Javid has said that his visit to Jerusalem’s Old City was a “breath-taking” example of how “vital it is to live in a world of religious tolerance where everyone can practice their faith freely, peacefully and without fear."
Reflecting on his three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank, the Home Secretary said he would continue working with “friends” at home and abroad to tackle religious hatred – “including antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and the persecution of Christians.”
Mr Javid, who became the first British Government Minister in 19 years to visit the Kotel on Monday, said: “Jerusalem’s Old City is a breath-taking example of our combined history and religion and a reminder of how vital it is to live in a world of religious tolerance where everyone can practice their faith freely, peacefully and without fear.
“As Home Secretary, I’m committed to working with friends at home and abroad to tackle all forms of religious hatred – including antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and the persecution of Christians.”
After arriving in Tel Aviv on Sunday, Mr Javid met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli and Palestinian political leaders.
After placing a note between the stones of the ancient wall, Mr Javid said it was a “truly powerful and moving moment placing a note of reflection in the Western Wall – the focus of Jewish worship for generations”.
He was accompanied to the holy site by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
The Home Secretary also visited the Dome of the Rock and said that he was “honoured to be the first British Cabinet Minister to say a prayer at Al Aqsa Mosque”.
Meeting with Christian leaders at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mr Javid said that “the Holy Land’s Christian community are an ancient part of a beautiful tapestry”.
He said he had a “fascinating morning in Jerusalem’s Old City visiting some of the holiest sites in the world. An absolutely breath-taking melting-pot of history, culture & religion”.
Mr Javid emphasised: “Freedom of religion and belief is a non-negotiable right for all peoples, and the UK Government is committed to tackling anti-Muslim hatred, antisemitism, the persecution of Christians and any other impediments to this right both in the UK and around the world”.
The Home Secretary met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, where they discussed strengthening UK-Israel security cooperation, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Mr Netanyahu also thanked Mr Javid for proscribing Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in its entirety in February this year.
He also met Israeli Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, who called Mr Javid a “true friend of Israel and the Jewish people”.
Mr Javid asserted that “Britain and Israel share an unbreakable bond”.
Mr Erdan revealed that they agreed to establish joint working groups on combating online threats such as the exploitation of children and terrorist incitement, and on facing the challenge of drones.
On Sunday, the Home Secretary met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov.
Mr Javid reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to a two-state solution, saying: “The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution that leads to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
"Only this will further unlock the incredible potential of this region and its people”.
Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) hosted the Home Secretary alongside the new British Ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, where they discussed the power of innovation to transform cities, countries and entire regions.
Mr Javid concluded his visit by laying a wreath in memory of the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.
“We must ensure such abhorrent crimes never happen again and consign antisemitism to the history books," he said.
“This is why having a National Holocaust Memorial next to our parliament will be so important for future generations. Very proud to have played a role in getting that off the ground.”
Home Office sources confirmed that one of main themes of Mr Javid’s discussions during his visit was the protection of religious tolerance across the globe.
Reflecting on steps taken in the UK, he added: “We must never give up on the fight for uncompromising religious freedom so that such measures are no longer necessary.”
