Post by sweet soul on Jan 16, 2009 11:03:28 GMT
British Muslims urge mosques to condemn attacks on Jews
Claims the conflict in Gaza has prompted a rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents.
Anti-semitic attacks in Britain have increased since Israeli air strikes in Gaza Photo: REUTERS
In a letter sent to every British mosque, the prominent figures said that anger about the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in the conflict must not be taken out on British Jews.
They appealed to British Muslims to stand by British Jews and prevent extremists from attacking them.
The Community Security Trust, a Jewish organisation that monitors anti-Semitism, has said there were an "unprecedented" 150 incidents during the first 18 days of the Gaza conflict, compared to a typical monthly average of between 20 and 45.
A synagogue in North London was attacked in a suspected case of arson, while anti-Jewish graffiti has been sprayed on other sites.
The letter's signatories, who included scholars, business figures and political thinkers, wrote that they condemned "attacks on innocent British citizens and the desecration of places of worship".
"The ongoing killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces angered us all. However, this does not, and cannot, justify attacks on our fellow citizens of Jewish faith and background here in Britain," they said.
"Most Muslims are completely against such behaviour ... British Jews should not be held responsible for the actions of the Israeli government."
Shahid Malik, the justice minister, this week warned the Government about the effects of the conflict on racial relations. Prominent figures from Muslim communities met ministers for the second time in a week on Thursday to discuss measures to tackle problems.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/4268450/British-Muslims-urge-mosques-to-condemn-attacks-on-Jews-amid-Gaza-conflict.html
Claims the conflict in Gaza has prompted a rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents.
Anti-semitic attacks in Britain have increased since Israeli air strikes in Gaza Photo: REUTERS
In a letter sent to every British mosque, the prominent figures said that anger about the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in the conflict must not be taken out on British Jews.
They appealed to British Muslims to stand by British Jews and prevent extremists from attacking them.
The Community Security Trust, a Jewish organisation that monitors anti-Semitism, has said there were an "unprecedented" 150 incidents during the first 18 days of the Gaza conflict, compared to a typical monthly average of between 20 and 45.
A synagogue in North London was attacked in a suspected case of arson, while anti-Jewish graffiti has been sprayed on other sites.
The letter's signatories, who included scholars, business figures and political thinkers, wrote that they condemned "attacks on innocent British citizens and the desecration of places of worship".
"The ongoing killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces angered us all. However, this does not, and cannot, justify attacks on our fellow citizens of Jewish faith and background here in Britain," they said.
"Most Muslims are completely against such behaviour ... British Jews should not be held responsible for the actions of the Israeli government."
Shahid Malik, the justice minister, this week warned the Government about the effects of the conflict on racial relations. Prominent figures from Muslim communities met ministers for the second time in a week on Thursday to discuss measures to tackle problems.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/4268450/British-Muslims-urge-mosques-to-condemn-attacks-on-Jews-amid-Gaza-conflict.html
is more appropriate than 
or whether I should just ;D at the image of the old bat hurling firebombs into the Pakistani embassy. I do hope she isn't just mouth, that'd make great news footage.
