Britain's Jewish leaders slam Israel over 'thug' Tommy Robinson invite
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, said he was “proud to host British patriot” Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, later this month. He lauded the far-right activist as a “courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam”. But the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said Robinson “represents the very worst of Britain”.
The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. The Jewish leadership groups said Mr Chikli’s actions had hit the British community in its “darkest hour”. They said: “Tommy Robinson is a thug who represents the very worst of Britain.
“His presence undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism and foster community cohesion. “Minister Chikli has proven himself to be a diaspora minister in name only. “In our darkest hour, he has ignored the views of the vast majority of British Jews, who utterly and consistently reject Robinson and everything he stands for.”
Former Tory cabinet minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi also criticised the “irresponsible and deeply dangerous behaviour” of inviting “a man with multiple convictions for violence and fraud”. Lady Warsi, the peer who was the first Muslim woman to serve in cabinet, said: “At a time all communities in the UK are uniting to support our Jewish community as they grieve, the state of Israel is sowing division in our country, supporting and promoting those that platform hate and making our country unsafe.”
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