Britain has offered to host an effort by seven nations, including Australia, to counter antisemitism, responding to a sharp rise in hatred and violence. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband made the offer during a meeting in London with peak Jewish groups, discussing practical measures following incidents such as the Bondi terror attack in December and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester a year ago.
The move raises the possibility of a ministerial meeting convened by Miliband in Britain, with counterparts such as Foreign Minister Penny Wong attending if the proposal gains support. The UK Foreign Office confirmed the plan in a statement after Miliband met leaders from the seven countries with the largest Jewish populations outside Israel, known as the J7 group.
The latest J7 report warned that last year was the deadliest year for Jews living outside Israel since 1994, citing the Bondi and Manchester attacks. The meeting included two members of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry: president Daniel Aghion, KC, and co-chief executive Peter Wertheim. The J7 represents the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Argentina, and Australia.