Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath (Lab)

My Lords, I speak in support of Amendment 441C, tabled by my noble friend Lord Mendelsohn, and in the name also of the noble Lord, Lord Polak. As to the hour, I echo the comments of my noble friend and fear I shall be the most unpopular Peer in the room. I have cut what I was going to say by at least half, so I hope noble Lords will bear with me. This amendment seeks to create a dedicated antisemitism unit within the CPS that would ensure that antisemitism receives the focused attention and expertise that it requires. Prosecutors will be better equipped to recognise the way in which modern antisemitism presents itself, to understand the context between particular language and behaviour, and to ensure that cases are handled consistently and effectively. This is especially important at a time when antisemitism is not only rising but becoming more visible, and in many cases normalised, in parts of our public life and discourse. For Jewish communities across this country, the sense of security that should accompany ordinary life has been profoundly shaken. I feel a particular responsibility, as a non-Jewish member of the House, to say this, and not to leave it only to Jewish Members of the House to say. I am not suggesting that the House does that, but I merely remark on why I have stood after the two previous noble Lords. The terrorist attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, and the attack targeting Jewish people at Bondi Beach in Australia during Hanukkah, underscore the very real and growing threat facing Jewish communities, and these are not isolated incidents. In the past fortnight alone, a synagogue in Michigan was attacked, an armed man entered a synagogue in Norway, and there was an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam. Explosions have been reported at synagogues in Liège in Belgium, and in Amsterdam. Together, these incidents illustrate the scale and persistence of the danger confronting Jewish communities today. Here in the United Kingdom the scale of the problem is deeply troubling. In six months alone last year, over 1,500 antisemitic incidents were reported. These are not abstract figures. They reflect real fear, intimidation and harm experienced by Jewish communities across the country. As stated by the noble Lord, Lord Polak, antisemitism has always been a uniquely persistent form of hatred, but today it often manifests itself in ways that are not always immediately recognised. It appears through coded language, through slogan and conspiracy narratives, and through hostility that targets Jewish identity indirectly, while claiming to be about something else entirely. People must know that when antisemitism occurs it will not be dismissed, misunderstood or minimised. They must know that the institution of justice is capable of recognising the harm that has been done and of responding with clarity and resolve. This amendment represents a practical step in helping to ensure that antisemitism is properly understood, properly addressed and properly prosecuted. If we are serious about confronting antisemitism in our society, we must ensure that our justice system is equipped to meet that challenge. This amendment would help us to do precisely that.