Jewish leaders condemn 'extraordinary act of terrorism' in Golders Green after key meeting with Keir Starmer

Two Jewish leaders have condemned the "extraordinary act of terrorism" in Golders Green on Monday morning after community ambulances were set on fire. Speaking to GB News following a key meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Keith Black and Michael Wegier revealed that they received a "constructive response" from the Government. Reflecting on their meeting, Mr Wegier, Chief Executive of The Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the Government's response in "stepping up quickly" following the attack. He said: "I think we got a very constructive response, both from the Prime Minister and from the Secretary of State and the local MPs. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say "There is obviously huge concern in the Jewish community about everything that's going on in the moment, and they have stepped up quite quickly. There's been support for the Jewish community locally and nationally. "And whilst the Jewish community is, I think, in a very fragile place at the moment, a very concerned place at the moment, we were very pleased to have been called promptly this morning to No10 to meet with the Prime Minister and his team." Discussing the attack in Golders Green, Mr Black, Chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, declared that the "extraordinary act of terrorism" should not only be called out by the Government, but "by the nation". He stated: "First of all, the extraordinary act of terrorism, blowing up ambulances in this country has been called out by Government, but it should be called out by the entire nation. It is an act of grotesque terrorism. "This isn't just protest, this is a form of violence against a completely innocent minority. That is utterly unacceptable. And the Government and the Prime Minister are quite right to call it out and to do everything in their power to remove this vicious vein of horror from British society." Putting their faith in the Prime Minister, Mr Wegier said he is "confident" that Sir Keir "completely understands the anguish" felt by the Jewish community. He told GB News: "The Prime Minister completely understands the anxiety that is felt by our British Jewish community. But despite this anxiety, we are a strong and resilient community and we will not allow these extremists to affect the morale or the status of our community in the long run. "We have been here for hundreds of years. We are very proud of our Jewishness, we're very proud of our Britishness, and that's the story that must continue." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WATCH: Eyewitness of Golders Green arson attack tells GB News she was 'terrified' Priti Patel calls for antisemitism crackdown after 'incomprehensible' arson attack - 'Enough!' Keir Starmer lambasted for 'failure' to protect Jewish communities after London arson attack Echoing Mr Wegier's verdict of their meeting with Sir Keir, Mr Black added: "He expressed his concern and support and his horror, and he pledged that the Government will do everything they can to look after Jewish people, and in particular, to reinforce the sense of British values that Michael has just been talking about. "This is a country that has got a wonderful history of embracing its minorities, and we feel today a very vulnerable minority, and he pledged his support for us. But we will watch the Government very closely." Issuing an appeal to Britons in light of the attack, Mr Black urged communities to "respect" the Jewish people trying to "live freely" in Britain. He told GB News: "We appeal to this nation, and we appeal to all minorities in this nation to respect the rights of Jews to go about their lives freely, without fear of violence or intimidation or being removed from society. "Because that is a very grave threat to this nation, that Jews will leave this country." Questioned on whether he believes there is "enough money and resources" to properly protect the Jewish community, Mr Wegier highlighted that there is a "core issue" affecting the Jewish people in the UK. He concluded: "I don't think the issue is more money. I think the money in a sense has come forth both from the previous Conservative Government and now from the Labour Government. "The core issue here is that the Jewish community is being othered by these people, and the act of terror that my colleague Keith spoke about is absolutely right. What we must do is make it clear that these attacks on the Jewish community are attacks on us all as British citizens. "And we have to other those extremists in those communities who are trying to do that to us. It's a disgrace what's going on, and all British people should side with the Jewish community at this moment." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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