United by Rallying for Peace, Confronting Antisemitism, and Safeguarding Schools in Troubled Times
In a powerful display of solidarity, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, along with thousands of supporters, gathered at Trafalgar Square, London, for a "We Stand With Israel" rally. The event, which aimed to raise awareness and demand the release of hostages held by Hamas following the October 7 terror attack, drew attention to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The rally featured participants holding posters displaying the faces of hostages and signs reading "100 days in hell." The crowd passionately chanted "Bring Them Home Now," expressing their support for those affected by the conflict. Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely and Suella Braverman both emphasized the urgency of releasing the estimated 130 remaining hostages.
Former Home Secretary Braverman remarked, "It has been 100 days since innocent people have been taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, and we need to bring them home now."
The event took a strong stance against the current Iranian regime, with some attendees displaying Lion and Sun Iranian flags as a symbol of opposition. Lord Eric Pickles, a speaker at the rally, reiterated his commitment to Zionism and standing proudly with Israel. He also addressed a pro-Palestine march that occurred the day before, expressing concern about the willingness of participants to march alongside those with antisemitic views.
President of Israel Isaac Herzog, in a video message, thanked prominent figures such as King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer for their consistent support. Herzog commended their clarity, pride, and passion in speaking out against attempts to silence them.
However, amidst the unity displayed at the rally, concerns about the rising antisemitism in Britain and the US emerged. Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith, attended the event, stressing the need for greater diversity and solidarity across faiths. Chowdhry noted the lack of diversity at the rally and urged people of various faiths to join British Jews at future events to demonstrate solidarity.
Chowdhry's presence resonated with many Jewish attendees, who expressed gratitude for his support. Some shared the emotional toll of feeling isolated within their local communities due to the recent surge in antisemitism. Stories emerged of individuals taking precautions, such as removing religious symbols like the Mezuzah, due to fears of being targeted by pro-Palestine protestors.
Chowdhry emphasized the importance of respecting diverse opinions on the ongoing conflict and called for mutual understanding.
In addition to calling for diversity and solidarity, Chowdhry expressed heartfelt prayers for peace in the Middle East. He highlighted the profound impact of the October 7th attack, instilling fear in Israel and straining relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Chowdhry underscored the critical role of releasing hostages in bringing an end to the conflict, expressing skepticism about meaningful dialogue until Hamas is removed from power.
Chowdhry's observations echo the urgent need to promote interfaith harmony in Britain, emphasizing the importance of understanding and unity in the face of heightened tensions resulting from the Israel-Palestine conflict. The rally served as a platform not only for advocating for the release of hostages but also for addressing the growing fears and challenges faced by Jewish communities across the west.
Following the event, Mr Chowdhry reflected on the distressing experiences faced by a Jewish friend in Los Angeles, USA, who, apprehensive about encountering intense animosity from pro-Palestine protestors, took the emotionally draining step of removing the Mezuzah from her home to avoid becoming a target. The executive producer who lives near Federal buildings expressed concern about several protestors attempting to forcibly remove drivers from their cars while chanting 'From the river to the sea.' This specific chant has raised alarm in some countries, as it has been used by Hamas, an organization that advocates for the elimination of Israel. Consequently, some nations are considering banning the chant due to its association with calls for the destruction of Israel. Mr Chowdhry explained: "This precaution, also taken by some Jews in the UK, underscores a troubling reality. In any civilized nation, no adherent to any faith should live in fear when expressing their religious identity. Rather than individuals feeling compelled to take such defensive measures, our state police should be actively ensuring that people of all faiths are protected, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and freedom of religious expression is safeguarded for everyone."
Mr. Chowdhry emphasized, "I recognize that people hold varying perspectives on the conflict. The sheer magnitude of casualties and the brutality witnessed can be difficult to digest, but this should not serve as a justification for fostering hatred. On the contrary, it should strengthen our resolve for peace. Local governments bear a crucial responsibility to cultivate harmony within their communities and not contribute to escalating tensions. It is therefore entirely unacceptable and a dereliction of duty that numerous local councils and police forces have neglected to prosecute those responsible for the proliferation of Palestinian flags on street furniture. Moreover, the lax attitude towards allowing flags and pro-Palestine graffiti to persist, either for an extended period or reappearing shortly after removal, is a matter of great concern. Such lackadaisical or, in some instances, deliberately delayed actions only serve to amplify the intimidation felt by Jewish people in our communities and offend many others. This pattern must cease immediately."
Mr Chowdhry will be raising this concern during the upcoming full council meeting at Redbridge Council. He plans to present the following questions during the public inquiry session scheduled for January 25th:
"Could the council explore the feasibility of expediting its response times in removing Palestinian flags and offensive Pro-Palestine graffiti from public property? Additionally, could Redbridge's Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) team consider improved collaboration with local police to enhance coordination, thereby facilitating a more efficient and proactive approach to investigating and apprehending the perpetrators of these incidents?"
Mr Chowdhry also voiced concerns about Barclay Primary School in Leyton, East London. The school is facing the possibility of transitioning to online learning after unidentified individuals, wearing masks, scaled the school walls and strategically placed Palestinian flags on the premises. This incident occurred in response to the headteacher's decision to prohibit a student of Palestinian heritage from wearing a badge featuring the Palestinian flag. The school staff has reported receiving threats, and a bomb threat has particularly alarmed the school leadership. Mr. Chowdhry cautioned that the incident at Barclay Primary School is merely the tip of the iceberg. He expressed concern over a troubling trend in secondary schools, noting that children, without relying on parental influence, are themselves delivering threats and insults. Particularly disconcerting is the behavior exhibited by some pro-Palestine supporters towards individuals who do not share their views.
Attention was drawn to a troubling imbalance of animosity in schools, where the expression of hatred seems to be predominantly one-sided. Notably, those who object to the antisemitic sentiments prevalent in classrooms are not responding with a similar level of hostility. Mr. Chowdhry found it necessary to address this issue with the headteacher at his child's school. Furthermore, he reported an incident to the local police involving a Muslim parent who falsely implicated one of his daughters. The baseless allegation suggested that a threat to kill pro-Palestinian protestors had been made, a malicious act seemingly intended to generate animosity toward the young teenager. Coach staff backed Mr Chowdhry's daughter and did not believe the false allegation though they had to separate the children. The headteacher of the school also confirmed he did not believe the allegation and spoke with the parent. This incident unfolded after the Muslim parent's child became upset about a flippant comment made regarding pro-Palestine protests.
Mr Chowdhry emphasized his belief that schools should continue to prohibit the display of badges or flags representing either side of the conflict. He asserted that a school's primary responsibility is to cultivate a secure environment for all members of its community. School leaders must ensure that everyone within the school premises is reminded of the crucial importance of upholding the institution's commitment to mutual respect, support, and compassion.
Mr Chowdhry underscored that racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, discrimination, incitement, bullying, or harassment should find no place within any educational institution. While these principles are fundamental to the ethos of every school, it becomes especially pertinent to reiterate them during sensitive times when there are indications that these principles may be at risk.
Zechariah 7:9–10 (NIV)
This is what the Lord Almighty said: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor."
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