Jewish constituents hiding faith symbols out of fear, MP warns

Summarised from Bucks Free Press's report · Updated 23 Oct, 06:15 · Archive

Jewish constituents in Buckinghamshire are removing visual identifiers of their faith because they are living in fear, their MP has told Parliament.

Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, told Parliament on Wednesday that Jewish constituents are hiding visual identifiers of their faith because they are living in fear. He called for urgent Government action against antisemitism in schools and colleges, warning that the scale of the problem was 'absolutely alarming'.

Citing figures from Education Secretary Lucy Powell, Smith highlighted that almost three in five Jewish young people and half of Jewish teachers had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. He called for monthly or even weekly monitoring of Government actions rather than waiting for a report after a year, to reassure Jewish communities of Government urgency.

Powel agreed about the scale and urgency, saying the Government accepted all recommendations and would implement them. She argued that tackling antisemitism required a national conversation, with people needing to recognise it, challenge it and explain its dangers to younger generations.

Read the report

• Jewish constituents hiding signs of their faith in fear, Buckinghamshire MP warnsMid Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith says Jewish constituents are hiding signs of their faith and urges urgent action against antisemitism.Bucks Free Press · 23 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Greg Smith · Lucy Powell · Mid Buckinghamshire · Parliament

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem