This is about targeting identity of a people: Gove

A LARGE delegation of British Parliamentarians, including Justice Secretary Michael Gove, has attended the InterParliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism (ICCA) conference in Berlin.

Led by All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism chair John Mann, almost a dozen MPs and peers travelled to Germany, including Sir Eric Pickles, the government’s special envoy on post-Holocaust issues.

On Tuesday, Mr Mann and Sir Eric launched a British guide to best practices in combating antisemitism which came from last year’s all-party inquiry into Jew-hate.

The guide, backed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, outlines the need for strong political leadership and cross-party representation, including from experienced and younger politicians.

It also provides information for foreign groups on the best ways to tackle antisemitism in the media, in football and other aspects of cultural life.

Mr Mann said: “While we will not stop fighting antisemitism in the UK, it is important we share our learning to date with other parliaments across the world so that they can benefit from our experience.”

In his speech to the conference on Tuesday, Mr Gove outlined the “resurgent” level of antisemitism in Europe.

“Today, antisemitism targets the collective identity of the Jewish people. Jewish citizens of European nations are targeted if they dare to assert the dignity of their difference,” he said.

Tackling the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, Mr Gove said it “indulges prejudice rather than fighting it”. He aslo highlighted the government’s efforts to stop local authorities and public bodies boycotting Israel — “outlawing prejudice paid for by public money”.

Jewish peers Lord Mendelsohn and Lord Polak were also part of the delegation, along with Labour MPs Wes Streeting and Luciana Berger, and Conservatives Guto Bebb and David Burrowes.