Sir Keir Starmer is set to convene senior figures from across public life to drive a “whole of society” response to antisemitism, following the stabbings in London’s Golders Green.
The prime minister will warn that everyone bears a responsibility to stand with Jewish communities, saying that attacks on British Jews are “a crisis for all of us” and “a test of our values”.
Sir Keir will hold meetings with leaders from business, civil society, health, culture, higher education and policing, asking them to reflect on how they can move “at pace” to tackle antisemitism in their sector.
He will also focus on the domestic security implications of the Iran war, including a heightened threat to Jewish communities, during a ministerial meeting of the Middle East Response Committee, the crisis team set up to respond to conflict.
Sir Keir will open a series of roundtable discussions on Tuesday.
“Last week’s terrorist attack in Golders Green was utterly appalling,” he is expected to say.
“But it was not an isolated incident.
“It is part of a pattern of rising antisemitism that has left our Jewish communities feeling frightened, angry, and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them.
“These disgusting attacks are being made against British Jews. But, make no mistake, this crisis – it is a crisis for all of us. It is a test of our values.
“Values that are not guaranteed, but are earned. Every single day, through our actions.
“So, it is not enough to simply say we stand with Jewish communities. We must show it. And that responsibility lies with each and every one of us.
“That is what today is about. Because only by working together can we eradicate antisemitism from every corner of society.”
It comes after two Jewish men, Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, were stabbed during a knife rampage through the streets of Golders Green last week.
Alleged attacker Essa Suleiman, 45, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.
The attack, which has been declared a terror incident by police, is the latest in a string of violent incidents against Jewish people in the UK.
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