Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said legislation to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) would be brought forward and introduced in the next session of parliament, which begins in a few weeks.
Starmer was speaking during a solidarity trip to Kenton United Synagogue on Thursday following the firebombing of the shul last Saturday night, widely suspected to have been carried out by a group linked to the Iranian military outfit.
Visiting the synagogue alongside Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Starmer inspected the damage and held two discussions with congregants.
Speaking to the JC, Starmer said he came as an “expression of my support” and to “hear firsthand from those affected the deep anxiety they have about these attacks”.
He stated he was “very worried” about the increasing use of proxies by the Iranian regime and that, regarding proscription of the IRGC, legislation would be brought forward in “a few weeks” with the start of the new parliamentary session in July.
Asked about the prospect of proscribing the group, which Labour pledged to do in opposition but is yet to address in government, he said: “In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we're bringing forward as soon as we can.
"We go into a new session in a few weeks' time, and we'll bring that legislation forward.”
And, reacting to figures this week that show the number of British Jews emigrating to Israel is at a 40-year high, Starmer said: “I want to make Britain a country where our Jewish community feels safe, as they have done for a very long time, and into the future. I’m determined to do that. That means making clear that we stand alongside our Jewish community.”
He added that it was important that the whole country see the fight against antisemitism “as a fight for all of us, it’s a fight for Britain, a fight for the Britain we love.
“The Britain I believe in is where everyone practises their religion in safety and security without intimidation and harassment, and without these awful attacks,” he said.
In the attempted arson attack on the north-west London synagogue, a bottle containing accelerant was thrown into a medical room through a window.
An Iran-linked group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), claimed responsibility. Authorities are continuing to investigate the extent of any connection between the group and the attack.
"Obviously, there's been a claim here by an Iranian-backed group… And that's why, first of all, it's very important that our police, our counter-terrorism police work very closely with the community and with CST so that we can take the necessary criminal justice action,” commented Starmer.
"Obviously, there have been a number of arrests already, I think eight people charged, one convicted. It's very important that we're able to show the criminal justice system can react effectively and efficiently here.”
Chief Rabbi Mirvis described the mood during the roundtable conversations between the prime minister and community members as encapsulating “two words: anxiety and resilience.
“The community shared their deep concerns and enormous anxiety for their personal safety, for the safety of their families, for this synagogue building, for our community and for Jews in the UK,” he told the JC.
British Jews, he continued, are “going through exceptionally challenging times” and are “filled with anxiety at this time”.
“At the same time, we are a strong community, we respond with fortitude and great resilience. We as British Jews will face this and everything that comes our way in the future with great fortitude.”
He added: “The prime minister said he was listening, that he would mull over what was said, he would remember their thoughts, their sentiments.”
Starmer also met Rabbi Yehuda Black, the shul’s rabbi of 22 years, Kenton Synagogue chair Ruth Topper and other community members, US executives Saul Taylor, Jo Grose and David Collins.
Black told the prime minister: “Thank God nobody was hurt and the damage is contained. The attackers did not succeed in scaring us. Our community continues to come together undeterred. We have had a number of gatherings since the attack and nobody has been scared off from coming to the synagogue. Whoever the perpetrators are – they failed.”
Taylor informed the prime minister that the US must now spend £1 million a year on security. “It cannot be right that in modern Britain this level of security should be necessary. It is also not right that a charity should be footing the bill,” he said.
“This eye-watering amount of money could be spent on programming and engagement but instead is spent on guards and CCTV systems. This has to change.”
Kenton United Synagogue is part of the United Synagogue, a charity which supports some 60 communities across the UK and is responsible for nearly 100 Jewish sites.
Commenting later, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s agreement to move towards a ban of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the coming weeks.
"This is something the Board of Deputies and communal partners have long called for, and these calls have intensified over recent weeks. We will be engaging with the Government to ensure the requisite actions are taken to keep our community and our country safe from the Iranian and wider Islamist threat.”
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