Camden Liberal Democrats' Statement on Antisemitism
As Liberal Democrats, we believe that everyone should be able to go about their lives and practise their religion freely and without fear. Every place of worship must be safe and feel safe, and we stand firmly against all forms of hate, including antisemitism.
The Jewish community is facing levels of harassment and violence and experiencing levels of fear beyond anything seen in most of our lifetimes. Attacks in North London at the Finchley Reform Synagogue and the Hatzolah Ambulance Station combined with antisemitic graffiti, harassment and spitting in the street are terrible and must be addressed.
We have heard directly from Jewish residents across Camden, including in Hampstead and Highgate, who have told us they feel less secure in places of worship, in their daily lives and when expressing their identity publicly, whether through faith, culture or background. These experiences are becoming so frequent that they risk feeling normal.
As Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Camden Council and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Hampstead and Highgate, we are committed to strengthening the practical support and protection available to the Jewish community in our area. This includes continuing to work closely with the police, council officers and community leaders to maintain a visible and responsive presence around places of worship, support local safety measures, and ensure that concerns raised by residents are acted on quickly.
At a London level, the Liberal Democrats are calling for more resources for the Metropolitan Police to monitor vulnerable neighbourhoods and protect our communities. And, locally, we will increase our engagement with synagogues and Jewish organisations in our area, to listen directly, build trust, and ensure that the response and actions reflect the needs of the community.
Tom Simon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Camden Council
Katie Mansfield, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Hampstead and Highgate