Hendon MP's challenge to PM on antisemitism

David Pinto-Duschinsky asked Sir Keir Starmer what the government was doing to make sure the Jewish community “can live full and proud Jewish lives free from fear”

Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky (credit parliament.uk)

A Barnet MP has challenged the prime minister on antisemitism following a series of attacks on the Jewish community in and around the borough in recent months.

David Pinto-Duschinsky, the Labour MP for Hendon, raised the issue with Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The question followed the attack on four Hatzola ambulances on 23rd March and the stabbing of two Jewish men in the street on 29th April, alongside a series of other attacks on Jewish people and buildings.

Addressing Starmer, Pinto-Duschinsky said: “My Hendon constituency is proud to sit at the heart of the UK’s largest Jewish community in the London Borough of Barnet but today, many of my constituents, many of that community are living in fear.

“In north west London in recent months we have seen Jewish charities firebombed, synagogues attacked, Jewish people stabbed in the street and all that against the backdrop of a daily drumbeat of abuse and intimidation.”

He added: “I know everyone on these benches is determined to defeat this despicable hatred and I welcome the actions the government is taking to root out the poison of antisemitism.”

He then asked: “Can the prime minister tell this house what the government is doing, not only to protect the Jewish community in Hendon and Barnet but to make sure they/we can live full and proud Jewish lives free from fear?”

In response, Starmer cited his efforts to end antisemitism within the Labour Party before listing actions that the government is taking to deal with the issue within wider society.

He said the government was introducing: “New powers to ban repeated protests. New powers to root antisemitism out of our schools, universities and the health service.

“And new proscription-like powers to clamp down on malign state activity which incites hatred and violence. And we will take further steps.”

He added: “I am proud to lead this tolerant, decent country. And will always fight for the security, safety and freedom of British Jews.”

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

ACT NOW!

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.