Minister refuses to answer ‘inappropriate’ question about Israel, UK Jews

LONDON: A Home Office minister has refused to answer a “deeply inappropriate” question about British Jews and Israel asked in the House of Lords.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon is a journalist and broadcaster, who is known as the editor of Sikh Messenger and a presenter of Thought For The Day on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.The independent crossbench peer asked Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom whether he agrees that British Jews should issue a statement dissociating themselves from the government of Israel.

Lord Singh asked: “Would the minister agree that it would enhance the image and security of the wonderful Jewish people if the Jewish people in this country were to issue a strong statement disassociating themselves from the policies of the Netanyahu government, the atrocities that have been committed on the people of Gaza, who are also human?

“Instead of that, the Board of Deputies has unfortunately sent a delegation to Tel Aviv, showing solidarity for what the Netanyahu government…“Atrocities include the destroying of hospitals and the firing on aid convoys, killing even British people.”

Lord Sharpe responded: “I think that’s a deeply inappropriate question and I’m not going to stoop so low as to answer it.”Labour frontbencher Baroness Sherlock, who is an ordained priest in the Church of England, said: “Perhaps I can. “British Jews are no more responsible for the actions of the state of Israel than I am!”

Later on in the debate, Conservative peer Baroness Altmann, who is Orthodox Jewish, reiterated that the British Jewish community have “no responsibility for the actions of an overseas government”.

Their comments came as the upper chamber discussed plans to enhance the safety of London’s Jewish community amid a rise in antisemitic abuse.Several peers referred to footage released by the Campaign Against Antisemitism last week, which showed its chief executive, Gideon Falter, being told by a police officer that his “openly Jewish” appearance risked antagonising pro-Palestinian protest marchers.