Keep the poison off our streets

Faith leaders call for calm after 'tsunami' of hatred against Jews

- BY LUCY THORNTON, HOLLIE BONE and PHIL CARDY

FAITH leaders urged people to stand united against hatred last night after the deadly attack on a synagogue.

British Jews told how they have suffered a tsunami of hatred since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

They said the atrocity in Manchester was their worst nightmare.

However, leaders of all faiths called for calm.

Imam Qari Asim, co-chair of the British Muslim Network, said: "The bloodshed and violence in the Middle East, excruciatingly painful to witness for all of us, must not be allowed to poison our streets in Britain. We can't ignore the growing tide of religious hatred. Whether Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of bigotry, we must confront it together."

And the Manchester Council of Mosques said: "We've always been a city where people of all faiths and backgrounds live side by side. Any attempt to divide us with violence or hatred will fail."

Brendan Cox, widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, said: "The whole country will come together in disgust, condemnation and horror."

Amid reports that Jewish people were thinking of leaving the UK, he said it is "deeply shaming of all of us that we live in a country where someone might not feel welcome on the basis of their faith".