Government Whip Viscount Younger stressed the importance of tackling anti-Semitism, underlining that “as a Government and as a society we cannot be complacent”, in a House of Lords debate this week.
Speaking on Thursday’s debate on anti-Semitism, Viscount Younger said: “There is no place in our society for anti-Semitism or any form of harassment, discrimination or racism. Therefore, anti-Semitism is abhorrent, and we must take it very seriously”.
The Conservative also condemned the remarks uttered at the House of Lords event hosted by Baroness Tonge on Tuesday, stating: “I am sure that all noble Lords will join me in condemning this shameful display of anti-Semitism”.
Viscount Younger referred to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of anti-Semitism, which UK Special Envoy on Post-Holocaust Issues Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP played a leading role in drafting.
The IHRA definition states that manifestations of anti-Semitism “might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity”.
He said: “The Government are currently reviewing whether the definition should be more widely applied. The Government know full well that there is more to be done”.
On the subject of anti-Semitism across university campuses, the Government Whip said: “We recognise the debilitating effect such incidents can have on students and the atmosphere of hatred they can create”.
Addressing concerns raised about the National Union of Students (NUS), Viscount Younger said: “Sadly, as the noble Lord, Lord Mitchell, has pointed out, the actions and words of the current NUS president, Malia Bouattia, have undermined the positive engagement that Jewish students have had with the NUS for decades”.
