Matthew Pennycook has declared Britain’s Jewish community remains “fundamentally safe”, despite acknowledging growing fears amid a surge in anti-Jewish hate incidents.
Speaking to GB News following the Golders Green Jewish ambulance arson attack, the Housing Minister expressed understanding for community anxieties.
“I do think fundamentally the Jewish community is safe, but I understand the concerns that have been expressed,” Mr Pennycook told GB News.
He pledged the Government would use all available means to eradicate antisemitism and protect Jewish communities across the country.
“We will do everything in our power as a Government to stamp out the hatred that is antisemitism to protect the Jewish community, and we stand in solidarity with them today in the wake of this awful, awful incident,” he added.
The minister characterised antisemitism as an age-old prejudice that manifests in various forms across generations, emphasising the need for constant alertness.
“Antisemitism, as we know, is an ancient hatred. It takes many forms. It rears its head in every generation, and we’ve got to be alert to it. We’ve got to be doing what is necessary to stamp it out,” Mr Pennycook stated.
However, he declined to speculate about those responsible for the Golders Green attack or their motivations.
Matthew Pennycook has insisted the Jewish community is ‘safe’ in Britain despite a string of antisemitic attacks
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GB NEWS
He said the Government has a number of initiatives to tackle antisemitism: “As a Government, we provide additional support to the Community Security Trust, to ensure that Jewish schools, synagogues and the wider community are protected.
“But I understand the concern. I’m just trying to, if you like, draw a differentiation between the general atmosphere, the general rise in anti-Jewish hatred, which we’ve got to bear down on, and the precise reasons for this attack, which at this stage we don’t know.
“But in all honesty, I don’t really want to speculate on who carried out this attack and why.”
In the early hours of Monday morning, an arson attack destroyed four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north London.
Windows of nearby apartments shattered as a result of oxygen tanks exploding | X/@CHASKELLBENNET
The vehicles, operated by the volunteer emergency service Hatzola, were deliberately set ablaze at their Golders Green base on Highfield Road at approximately 1.40am.
Issuing a statement this afternoon, Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated although the investigation is being led by counter-terrorism policing, it is not currently being classified as a terrorist attack.
Officers are searching for three suspects captured on CCTV footage, with no arrests made so far.
The blaze required six fire engines and approximately 40 firefighters to bring under control, with the flames finally extinguished shortly after 3am.
Mr Pennycook told GB News the Labour Government ‘stands in solidarity’ with the Jewish community
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GB NEWS
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a strong condemnation of the attack, describing it as “deeply shocking antisemitic arson”.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news,” he said.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD415 of March 23, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.