Sir Mick Davis, chief executive of the Conservative Party and former Jewish Leadership Council chairman, has condemned the screening of Katie Hopkins’ anti-Muslim ‘documentary’ in North West London last week, which was hosted and attended by members of the Jewish community.
Homelands, presented jointly by Ms Hopkins and former Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson, makes the case for the “Islamification of Europe”, and the supposed consequent displacement of Jews and native populations.
During the event, Ms Hopkins called Islam “the single biggest threat” to Europe and an audience member described themselves as a “proud Islamophobe”.
The JC report triggered widespread condemnation of the event, which took place at the Pillar Hotel in Hendon and was hosted by Sharon Klaff and Ambrosine Shitrit – well-known Israel advocates and founders of Campaign4Truth.
Writing in the JC, Sir Mick dismisses the notion that Jews are solely threatened by “all Muslims and only Muslims” as “outrageous betrayal of our values and history and an affront to Muslims who stand up against antisemitism”.
He writes: “It is an uncomfortable but increasingly apparent truth that there are a small number of fringe groups and individuals within the Jewish community who could, by any definition, be described as far right.
“Another uncomfortable truth is that some sections of the far right from outside the Jewish community are courting Jews as potential allies in their bigoted campaigns against Muslims.
“These people are not our friends. Once they’re done with Muslims they will turn their attention to us. For them, difference is intolerable and something to be feared and vilified. Seeking common cause is a cynical ploy and sometimes the misguided and foolish are taken in.
“This Jewish form of fringe populism is built on a fiction. They’re the only people challenging the threat of Islamic extremism, they claim, or the only people fighting antisemitism. Both are patently untrue.
“On a national level, our institutions from the Metropolitan Police to the Prevent anti-extremism programme recognise the threat of extremist ideology and terror and are committed to the safety and security of the Jewish community. And within the community, we’re blessed to have the CST providing security, liaising with the police and monitoring threats while also reaching out a hand to Muslim groups in the UK that share their commitment to fighting hate.
“We also have a burgeoning number of activists able to fight antisemitism wherever they find it without resorting to anti-Muslim hatred. We need to celebrate and support them while we call out our far right.”
After the publication of the JC’s report on the screening, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “This vile Muslim-baiting film should never have seen the light of day”.
JLC chair Jonathan Goldstein added that it was “disappointing that the vile views of Katie Hopkins should get a warm reception anywhere. Let alone in Hendon”.
Nisa-Nashim, the network for Jewish and Muslim women, called the JC’s coverage of the event, which called it “sickening and tragically ironic in equal measure”, “appropriately scathing”.
It added: “The vilification of Muslims is prejudiced and wrong. Indeed, fuelling hatred and conspiracy theories is something that Jewish people know well, is dangerous.
“The Jewish and Muslim trustees of Nisa-Nashim are determined instead, to work together, acting as active allies towards a different narrative; one of hope, friendship and shared values.”
