This shocking, cowardly and despicable act of evil was not only an attack on London’s Jewish community, but on an ambulance service whose sole purpose is to save lives and care for others.
There is no doubt that what this attack was designed to do is to strike fear into the heart of Jewish people in Golders Green, but also across the country. And as a member of Parliament who represents a significant Jewish community further east in London, I know that what's happened will be felt painfully and acutely by all Jewish people across our country.
The aim of these attackers is clear – they want Jewish people in this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to be less visible as Jewish people – to fear going about Jewish life, whether that's attending school or providing the services and support that makes the Jewish community one of the most resilient, strong and proud communities in the country.
Hatzola’s volunteers represent the very best of public service, providing rapid, life-saving care to anyone in need, and it is appalling that such a service has been targeted in this way.
Of course, the best form of solidarity is practical solidarity, which is why today, our London Ambulance Service colleagues are providing support to the team in Golders Green to make sure that we don't skip a beat when it comes to responding to emergency call outs, and we will also be providing four replacement ambulances, initially on loan until we can provide permanent replacements. The Jewish community should not bear the cost of this hatred.
This moment demands more than practical support. The Jewish community will not stand alone – the government and this entire country stands with them.
The answer cannot simply be higher walls, thicker doors, more CCTV. We also have to deal with this hatred at its source. We have to confront and beat the evil ideas that are permeating in our society. Antisemitism is an old hatred, but it is alive and kicking in our country, and all of us, particularly those who are not Jewish have to wake up, stand up, and work with our Jewish friends and neighbours in confronting and defeating this despicable hatred.
Wes Streeting MP is the health secretary
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