‘Time the rest of us stepped up’: terror survivors’ group writes letter in support of UK Jews

Dozens of survivors and bereaved relatives of 19 separate terror attacks have written an open letter of solidarity to the Jewish community, saying: “Standing together in the face of hatred is not just the right thing to do – it’s the most effective way of defeating terrorism.”

The letter was coordinated by the group Survivors Against Terror (SAT), after terror attacks on two Jewish men in north London earlier this week, in what was the latest in a series of attacks on the community in the UK.

Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with the attempted murders of Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, in Golders Green on Wednesday, and of Ishmail Hussein earlier the same day in Southwark.

The UK government has raised the terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe” for the first time in more than four years, “driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme rightwing” threats.

The letter reads: “As victims and survivors of terror attacks, we know the devastating cost of hatred and extremism. These acts have changed our lives forever and taken people we loved.

“We write today with deep concern at the rise in hostility and attacks against the Jewish community in our country and with an appeal to stand united against it. We understand the fear felt by the Jewish community.

“Those who justify those antisemitic attacks as being a result of Israel’s actions are not simply wrong, but create an environment where more attacks are more likely. Please stop. Similarly, those who blame all Muslims for the actions of the terrorist create the kind of division and hatred that terrorists crave.

“Standing together in the face of hatred is not just the right thing to do – it’s the most effective way of defeating terrorism in all its forms. We urge a renewed commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of all communities in this country, including our Jewish fellow citizens. This hatred has to stop.”

Brendan Cox, whose wife, the MP Jo Cox, was killed in an act of terror by a rightwing extremist in 2016, co-founded Survivors Against Terror.

“Last week’s antisemitic attacks would have been bad enough had they been an isolated aberration. But they weren’t,” Cox said. “They followed a spate of vile attacks on the British Jewish community – designed to spread fear.

“Our response as a country must be to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish friends, neighbours and fellow citizens – no equivocating, no half-measures, no ifs, no buts.”

“That’s the message that this letter is trying to send. From people who know how terrorism destroys lives and communities: an urgent plea for all of us to stand together.

“Because these attacks didn’t come from nowhere. Like all terror attacks, they came from prejudice leading to hatred and hatred leading to violence. It might be mostly governments’ job to prevent violence, but it’s all our job to tackle the prejudice that nurtures it.

“This isn’t a crisis for the Jewish community to respond to. It’s time the rest of us stepped up.”

Jo Berry, co-founder of SAT, and whose father was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said: “I am signing this because I have seen the lasting impact of hatred and violence, and I believe we share a responsibility to stand together and protect one another.

“Though this moment feels dangerous, I’m confident that hatred will not win, because what unites us is stronger than what divides us.”

The letter’s 62 signatories include Sheelagh Alexander, whose son, Nick Alexander, was killed at the Bataclan in Paris in 2015; Figen Murray, whose son, Martyn Hett, was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing; and Kevin Tipple, a survivor of the Palace of Westminster attack in 2017.

They also include Marine Vincent, a survivor of the London Bridge terror attack in 2017; Christian Fisher, a survivor of the 7/7 London bombings; and Nader Mozakka, whose wife, Behnaz Mozakka, was killed in the 7/7 attack.

Lisa Ghiggini, a survivor of the Fishmongers’ Hall attack in London, said: “Having lived through a terror attack, I know first-hand the devastation hatred leaves behind. No community should have to carry that fear. Standing together against all forms of division is the only way we prevent it from spreading.”