LONDON—‘’I never thought I would see the day when Jewish people questioned staying in this country,”said British Prime Minister Theresa May.
She was responding in the House of Commons to a question from Labour MP John Mann, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism.
He said during the Prime Minister’s Questions : “For almost 400 years this country almost uniquely in the world has been a place of safety and security and a place where Jewish communities have thrived.”
He added : “Many in the Jewish community are questioning whether this will be the case going into the future. A disturbing large number of young Jewish people are questioning whether they should remain in this country.”
MP Mann asked : “Does the Prime Minister agree with me that 2019 has to be a year when we all stand up and be counted to ensure that those young Jewish people believe, and stay in this country, wishing to contribute and no longer fearing for their future?.”
Prime Minister Theresa May responded : “Can I say to the honorable gentleman that I absolutely agree with him? Jewish people should be able to feel safe and secure in this country. I never thought I would see the day when Jewish people living in this country questioned whether they should stay in this country. I think this is a terrible state of affairs that we have come to.”
She added, “There’s no place for racial hatred in our society, it’s important that we all take every step to tackle it. … It is absolutely right when the honorable gentleman talks about the need for us all, every one of us, to stand up now, to stand up as we go into the new year, and say 2019 will be the year when we stand up and say there is no place for antisemitism or racial hatred in our society.”
According to the results of a poll publish in September, nearly 40 per cent of British Jews would “seriously consider emigrating” if Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn became Prime Minister. The crisis over anti-Semitism in the Labour has caused a major schism within its ranks and led Jews to express fears over their future in the country.
Around 290,000 Jews live in the U.K.