Enfield Resilience Network issues statement in response to terror attack against Jewish community in Australia

Enfield Civic Centre and (inset) cabinet member for community cohesion Gina Needs

Enfield Resilience Network has issued a statement condemning the antisemitic terror attack in Australia this week.

The network includes officers from Enfield Council, faith leaders, police officers and the council’s cabinet member for community cohesion Gina Needs, and has described the attack in Bondi Beach as having “no place in our society”.

Two terrorists said to be linked to Islamic State targeted a Hanukkah celebration in the Sydney suburb held on Sunday (14th). Shooting at the Jewish crowd that had gathered, they killed 15 people.

The Enfield Resilience Network statement said: “Political and faith leaders across the borough stand together against violent extremism that impacts on all our communities. Such atrocities have no place in our society and those carrying them out do not represent any of our faiths, religions, or beliefs.

“Our shared thoughts and prayers are with Jewish communities in and around the Enfield area and across the world following the vicious attack in Bondi Beach, Australia.

“Antisemitism and all other forms of hatred have no place in our borough or anywhere else.

“Every single life is precious, and we are committed to upholding the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of ethnicity, culture or faith. We stand united in our commitment to equality and mutual respect for all communities.

“We are one community and as such stand united at this time of grief.”

Separately, a joint statement has also been issued by the commissioners of both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police, Sir Mark Rowley and Sir Stephen Watson. They said: “Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, their families and those injured. Coming so soon after the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in Manchester and amid rising antisemitism globally, this is deeply alarming.

“Jewish communities across London, Greater Manchester, and the rest of the United Kingdom are already worried and scared – and this only adds to it.

“Antisemitic hate crime has surged, protests have intensified, and online abuse has grown since 2023. These trends create real fear and disrupt daily life – and have an impact on how safe the Jewish community feel when attending synagogues and other communal spaces. Jewish children attend schools behind fences, guarded by security and routine police patrols. No community should have to live like this. That must change.”

The joint statement announced that “in the escalating threat context, we will recalibrate to be more assertive” regarding the police response to chanting and placards at protests deemed to be “intimidating Jewish communities or breaking the law”.

It added: “All members of society have a responsibility to consider their impact on others – it is possible to protest in support of Palestinian people without intimidating Jewish communities or breaking the law.”

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