This simply isn’t good enough. As a
British Muslim, I know what it’s like to
be discriminated against just because
of your background or religion.
And that’s why I’m determined to
fight racism in all its forms and why
challenging the alarming rise in
antisemitism is a priority for me.
So as the Mayor of London, I’m
working with the Police to ensure
that we do all we can to stamp out
antisemitism and hate crime – whether
it’s on the basis of someone’s age,
sexuality, gender, religion, race,
nationality or disability.
Following the EU referendum vote,
I launched the #WeStandTogether
campaign in London to crackdown on
hate crime on public transport in the
capital. And I’m also working on how
we can help to give victims the courage
and support they need to report each
and every antisemitic incident.
The figures on antisemitic attacks are
shockingly high, but worryingly this
could just be the tip of the iceberg
as we know too many people are not
reporting antisemitic harassment.
not members of an organised faith,
black, white, rich, poor, young, old,
gay, lesbian – don’t simply tolerate
each other, but respect, embrace and
celebrate each other.
This is what London is really about.
I view any hate crime against Jewish
people, or any other community, as an
attack on everything we stand for. So
I want London’s Jewish community to
know that I stand shoulder-to-shoulder
with them.
Whenever antisemitism rears its ugly
head, I’ll be the first to call it out,
condemn it and then work to stamp
it out. I’ve been clear - we must do
all we can to root out antisemitism
wherever we find it – and, yes – that
includes within the Labour party.
I want to assure all Londoners that I’ll
continue to try to break down walls
between communities and work with
HET, CST and others to ensure that,
together, we learn the lessons of the
past and continue to be a global beacon
of tolerance, acceptance and respect.
I’d like to praise the Community
Security Trust (CST) for their excellent
work in this area, helping to reassure
and encourage victims to come
forward. This has really made a big
difference and I hope this continues.
I’m proud that London is a city where,
the vast majority of the time, Jewish
people, Christians, Hindus, Muslims,
Sikhs, Buddhists, those who are
Rt Hon Sadiq Khan – 15
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21/09/2016 16:23