Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Shaun Bailey AM, reaffirmed his strong support of the Jewish community in London this week, in combating antisemitism and opposing anti-Israel boycotts during a wide-ranging video interview with Jewish-TV (J-TV).
Condemning the rise of antisemitism in the UK, Shaun Bailey underlined that it is rooted in “ignorant racism”. He emphasised his opposition to anti-Israel boycotts particularly across university campuses in London, stating that the way that Jewish students are made to feel unsafe on campus or unable to express themselves is for him “a modern day interpretation” of antisemitism.
He added that antisemitism is “ancient”, and spoke about attendance of March of the Living in Poland last year to mark Yom Hashoah, where more than 10,000 participants marched together from Auschwitz to Birkenau in memory of all victims of the Holocaust.
Shaun Bailey underlined that to defeat antisemitism and to keep communities safe “we have to fight for it and we cannot be complacent”.
On the position of faith in society, he said: “Let’s talk about our faith, and what comfort it gives us, and what structure is gives to our community. I think the constant positive exchange between faiths is what will defeat racism, and antisemitism in the long run”.
Highlighting Mayor Sadiq Khan’s “warm words” but lack of action, Shaun Bailey pointed out that Mr Khan did not ban the annual Al-Quds Day march, “a pre-planned annual hate crime”.
Speaking about his visit to Israel with CFI in 2010, Shaun Bailey said: “I was fascinated at the diversity of the population. I had some of the deepest conversations I’ve ever had… I really love the high-tech nature of the place”.
He added: “One of the things I’d want to do as Mayor immediately is visit Israel on a trade delegation – immediately… To make those connections, to see what knowledge, what investment we could swap to move forward”.
He also spoke about his plans for London, policy on London’s congestion charge hike, and inter-community relations.
Watch the full interview here.
