BRITAIN NEWS AND ALERT's

https://gellerreport.com/2020/04/allahu-akbar-bbc-broadcasts-islamic-call-to-prayer-for-the-first-time.html/?fbclid=IwAR1LLvrGrePnI2envk9FUVR1KmsirtDS9TFHHvx_C1hAYBoJa-efP6L68A4
“Allahu Akbar”! BBC Broadcasts Islamic Call to Prayer for the First Time
By Robert Spencer - on April 13, 2020
UK
Global Village Space reported Wednesday that “in a first, BBC begins the broadcast of Muslim prayers on its network as mosques shut down across Britain, part of the extensive measures against coronavirus.” In today’s Britain, it is extraordinarily unlikely that the BBC will stop broadcasting the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, once the coronavirus pandemic is over. A cultural line has been crossed. And the implications of this, beyond the expected hosannas from the usual proponents of globalism and multiculturalism, are ominous.

According to Global Village Space, “different imams lead the 5:50 am broadcasts every week on Friday from 14 local radio stations of BBC. The imam recites verses from the Holy Quran and quotes of Holy Prophet before delivering the sermon and leading the listeners in prayers. The program is titled, ‘Islamic Reflections’. The arrangements have been made to facilitate the Muslim community to the run-up to the month of Ramadan till the end of April.”

The BBC is no doubt thrilled to do this, as it demonstrates how “inclusive” the mega- network is, and how welcoming British society is. Chris Burns, the head of BBC Local Radio, was dead chuffed, saying: “Local radio is all about connecting communities, and we hope these weekly reflections will go some way to helping Muslims feel a sense of community while they are isolating.”


BBC CWR presenter Phil Upton added: “Ramadan is just a few weeks away and I appreciate that for many that’s a big void to fill with as many as one and a half hours of your day, especially in the evening, in Ramadan month, spent in your local mosque. With many local mosques being closed because of the coronavirus outbreak there’s an overwhelming sadness with the loss of your spiritual connection that can be gained from congregational prayers, so we are trying to fill the void in some small way with Islamic reflections.”

Well, that’s wonderful, but when the BBC broadcasts the Islamic call to prayer, what exactly is it broadcasting? The adhan, prayed in Arabic, goes like this:

Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned four times.
I testify that there is no God but Allah (Ashhadu anna la ila ill Allah); intoned twice.
I testify that Mohammed is Allah’s Prophet (Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah); intoned twice.
Come to prayer (Hayya alas salah); intoned twice.
Come to security/salvation (Hayya alal falah); intoned twice.
Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned twice.
There is no God but Allah (La ilah ill Allah); intoned once.

Dr. Gavin Ashenden, former Chaplain to the British Queen, who resigned his position in protest against a Qur’an reading in a Scottish church, observed that “the Muslim call to prayer is a dramatic piece of Islamic triumphalism. It proclaims Islam’s superiority over all other religions, and in so doing casts Jesus in the role of a charlatan and a liar. The Muslim god, Allah, is unknowable and has no son. Jesus was, therefore, a fraud in claiming He and the Father are one.”

Is the BBC, the government-funded broadcasting agency of an ostensibly Christian land, really wise to broadcast a declaration of the superiority of another faith, one that directs its adherents to make war against Christians and subjugate them as inferiors under the hegemony of believers (cf. Qur’an 9:29)?

Is the BBC wise to broadcast the cry “Allahu akbar,” beloved of jihad terrorists the world over? Chief 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta wrote this in his letter to himself before carrying out his jihad mission: “When the confrontation begins, strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world. Shout, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.” This is why the Fort Hood jihad killer, Nidal Malik Hasan, shouted it as he shot thirteen Americans in November 2009, and why so many other jihadis have used it essentially as an announcement that non-Muslims are about to die.

But in Britain today, any such concerns will be dismissed out of hand as “Islamophobic.” BBC officials, and the British government, are no doubt certain that Muslim communities in the country will be grateful that the BBC is broadcasting Islamic prayers, and will redouble their efforts to become loyal, productive British citizens, marching together with non-Muslims in Britain into the glorious multicultural future. That’s the way it will work out. Isn’t it? No Muslims will take seriously the adhan’s declarations of Islamic superiority and heed the Qur’an’s calls to wage war against unbelievers. Will they? In multiculti Britain today, such an idea is inconceivable!

Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He is author of 19 books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process. Follow him on Twitter here. Like him on Facebook here.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/209-uk-jews-have-died-due-to-coronavirus/
209 UK Jews have died due to coronavirus
Board of Deputies president says impact of the virus on the community is 'heartbreaking and devastating' as latest figures are released.
By JEWISH NEWS REPORTER
April 13, 2020, 1:51 pm  
Coronavirus particle (Credit: Felipe Esquivel Reed, CC BY-SA 4.0, www.commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87846813)
Coronavirus particle (Credit: Felipe Esquivel Reed, CC BY-SA 4.0, www.commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87846813)
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities has risen to 209 among UK Jews, up 57 from the last announcement on 7 April.

The figure, released on Monday, covers fatalities both in hospital and beyond, using data gathered from six of the largest Orthodox and denominational burial boards, according to data collated by the Board of Deputies.


They are the Adath Yisroel Burial Society, the Federation of Synagogues Burial Society, the Joint Jewish Burial Board, Liberal Judaism, the Spanish and Portuguese Sephardi Community and the United Synagogue Burial Society.

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The Board of Deputies monitors the number of funerals carried out by burial societies, where covid-19 appeared on the deceased’s death certificate.

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “The effect of coronavirus on the Jewish community is heartbreaking and devastating. We wish the families who have lost loved ones a long life, and pray that their memory should be for a blessing.”
The national death toll rose above 10,000 as of Sunday, according to the government, with a review of lockdown measures due to take place later this week after the hospital coronavirus death toll rose above 10,000.


Shttps://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/starmer-pledges-to-set-new-standard-on-antisemitism-in-call-with-jewish-groups/tarmer pledges ‘new standards’ on antisemitism in call with Jewish groups
'This has certainly been a good start,' read a joint statement from the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, Community Security Trust and Jewish Labour Movement
Labour’s new leader Keir Starmer has pledged on Wednesday to set “new standards” on the party’s handling of  antisemitism in a video call with Jewish groups.

Starmer, who was joined by Labour’s new deputy leader Angela Rayner, spoke to representatives from the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, Community Security Trust and Jewish Labour Movement.

During the call, the former shadow Brexit secretary vowed to start work on setting up an independent disciplinary process, cooperate with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s investigation into allegations of antisemitism in the party, and order a report on all outstanding disciplinary cases this week.

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Starmer discussed with representatives from the Jewish Labour Movement his “ambition to roll out training of all Labour Party staff in as soon as practically possible.”

“Today, I repeated once again the apology I made as soon as I was elected leader,” he said on Wednesday.

“Over the last few years, we have failed the Jewish community on antisemitism. Labour is a proudly anti-racist party and, going forward, it will not be enough to ‘pass the test’ on antisemitism. We need to set new standards for best practice,” he added.
The Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl, Jewish Leadership Council chair Jonathan Goldstein, Community Security Trust chair Gerald Ronson and Jewish Labour Movement Chair Mike Katz issued a joint statement after the call.
“While we would have fully understood the need to focus entirely on coronavirus at this time, Keir Starmer has already achieved in four days more than his predecessor in four years in addressing antisemitism within the Labour Party,” they said.
They added: “As we discussed with Keir [Starmer] and Angela [Rayner], we want to have a normal relationship with Labour whereby we can discuss the full range of issues affecting our community, from religious freedom to Israel, from Jewish schools to poverty, from refugees to the environment and not just antisemitism.
“This has certainly been a good start. If the new Labour leadership continues in this way, we can work together to make the changes that will make Labour a proudly anti-racist party once again.”


https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/starmer-begins-path-to-redemption-at-pesach/
Starmer begins path to redemption at Pesach
APR 7, 2020, 8:17 PM
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Keir Starmer (Photo credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Of course Jews around the world will be sitting down for Seder night in our own homes, away from loved ones and worrying about what the future will hold for their families and humanity at large. It feels odd to be thinking about anything else at this time but for some Jews around the UK, those who support, or have supported, the Labour Party, this night will be very different; there might be a positive conversation about the Labour Party at the Jewish dinner table.

The pain and despair of the last four and a half years felt by almost all Labour Jews has only been exacerbated by trying to explain to family, friends and those at any Jewish event that Labour isn’t irredeemable and that the institutional antisemitism in a party built on equality and social justice is a stain, but one that can be overcome.


This felt more and more difficult to say as the Labour Party became a less safe and more unwelcoming place for Jewish members and as the antisemites, Jew-baiters and the denialists that surrounded them gained more power inside the Party. Jews and their allies had to make the tough decision of whether to stay in the Party and fight for its soul, or leave an institutionally antisemitic organisation. Both were valid and honourable choices and painstaking in equal measure.

Last weekend felt different. A tiny amount of light and a small opening that things may just be getting better. Despite many Labour Jews including myself backing Lisa Nandy for leader, there were celebratory scenes over Zoom when the moment finally came for the end of Jeremy Corbyn and the ascent of Keir Starmer to the leadership.

But like the Pesach story, redemption doesn’t come easily. One of the messages of Pesach is the physical, mental and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people from their horrific time in Egypt, to receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai and eventually entering the Land of Israel. From the moment of freedom from Egypt, the Jewish people weren’t just handed the Torah or transported to the Land of Israel. There were many trials, tribulations and hardships along the way. 

Same too with the Labour Party. Keir Starmer has not ended Labour antisemitism or more generally antisemitism and conspiratorial politics on the left, nor is the Labour Party now ready for its ascent to their own Jerusalem, a Labour Government. There will be lots of hard work, tests and difficulties on the way. There will be some who will ask, just as the Jewish people did, “Is all this hard work worth it? Maybe we should turn back and let the antisemites win?” However, I am confident that with hard work and tough decision-making on both sides, there is a chance for a bright future ahead for Labour Jews in the UK, where the Jewish Labour Movement can continue to shine brightly in the community, in activism, in policy discussions and in making our country a better and more equal place.

Chag Pesach Sameach and stay safe, stay home, save lives, save the world!
ABOUT THE AUTHORLiron Velleman is the Jewish Labour Movement Policy Officer and works for HOPE not hate as the Political Organiser. He is also a trustee of New North London Synagogue and a keen sports fan!COMMENTS
The death of Israel Apartheid Week on UK campuses
FEB 21, 2018, 12:12 PM
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Illustrative: A poster put up without permission in a London underground train on February 22, 2016, to mark the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement's 12th anti-Israel Apartheid Week.
Illustrative: A poster put up without permission in a London underground train on February 22, 2016, to mark the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement's 12th anti-Israel Apartheid Week.
This week, thousands of Jewish students are walking onto their university campuses to be greeted by… nothing. Well, nothing out of the ordinary, that is. Academics are teaching; students are studying. There are sports games, library visits, lunch breaks, submission deadlines, placements, supervisions, J-Soc socials… But that’s all.

Why is this noteworthy? Surely a regular week at university does not warrant a 500-word article. But this week is not like all other weeks.
It’s Israel Apartheid Week.
Since the campaign began in 2005, events have taken place on more than 20 campuses in the UK. In previous years these have been coordinated efforts designed to intimidate Jewish students and cause a commotion: for example, in 2012 a mock checkpoint and an ‘Israeli Apartheid Wall’ were erected at the London School of Economics, leading to physical confrontation.

In stark contrast, this year a scattered handful of speakers will address fewer than 10 universities across the country.

Clearly, Israel Apartheid Week is weakening.

It’s losing the momentum it gained a few years ago; it’s being dragged by tired, worn-out campaigners who can’t admit defeat.

The decline of Israel Apartheid Week mirrors a drop in the presence of the Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions movement on our campuses.

There is a historical association between BDS and anti-apartheid campaigning: boycotts were used effectively to end apartheid in South Africa over two decades ago. But the comparison doesn’t stack up; so neither does the tactic.

On campus, pro-BDS campaigns are a haven for those seeking to label Israel an ‘apartheid state.’ Whilst Israel Apartheid Week tactics intimidate Jewish students and others, cause nuisance and generally disturb university life, BDS is debated in students’ unions. The legitimacy of these respected forums can lend an (undeserved) air of respectability to what is actually an insidious, intimidating and alienating campaign.

And yet the BDS movement on campuses is slowly petering out too.

In the wake of Operation Protective Edge, 2014 saw a spike in the number of BDS policies proposed to students’ unions but with such policy typically being active for three years, many are now lapsing, and the lapses are largely going unchallenged.

In 2015, we witnessed Cokegate: eight of NUS’s 10 vice presidents and liberation officers boycotted their own awards ceremony due to sponsorship of the event from Coca Cola, which they perceived as a breach of NUS’ BDS policy, because of the brand’s factory in Bnei Brak.

In comparison, last year saw just seven pro-BDS motions to students’ unions — five of which were defeated, withdrawn or otherwise not passed — and six NUS officers visited Israel and Palestine on UJS-organised trips.

To be clear, BDS has not disappeared altogether. Jewish students fought at City University, London and UEA recently. They faced awful intimidation and abuse for doing so (a disturbing, but distinct topic); but these are the only two motions we have faced this academic year. This is a drastic drop from the seven we fought last year.

There are still battles to be fought — and we will continue to fight them. A handful of Israel Apartheid Week events is still too many, and Jewish students must be able to challenge BDS motions free from intimidation and abuse; so we still have a long way to go.

Year in, year out, anti-Israel campaigners graduate from university and new generations enroll. Those who have left in the last few years are taking the tactics of Israel Apartheid Week and BDS with them — good riddance — but we will not allow ourselves to become complacent. Whatever tactics new generations of anti-Israel activists might bring, Jewish students, with unwavering support from UJS, will be ready to challenge them.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left hospital after being treated for coronavirus, but will not immediately return to work, Downing Street says.
Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas' hospital, in London, on Sunday - 10 days after testing positive for the virus.
He had three nights in intensive care before returning to a ward on Thursday.
Downing Street said the PM would continue his recovery at his country residence, Chequers.
"On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas' for the brilliant care he has received.
"All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52262012#

[size=48]https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/heart-surgeon-dead-coronavirus-cardiff-18053766?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=group_walesmain&fbclid=IwAR2Ew8_2X90pSs33WM3cLOYE-GqAHVIzmBV3HCefqmHkQxItAwf34XN-As0
[size=48]Leading surgeon at Cardiff hospital dies after contracting coronavirus[/size][/size]
Jitendra Rathod, who worked at the University Hospital of Wales, was described as 'incredibly dedicated' by colleagues

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Jitendra Rathod was described as a skilled surgeon who was incredibly caring (Image: Cardiff & Vale University Health Board)
One of Wales' leading surgeons has died after contracting Covid-19, health officials have confirmed.
Jitendra Rathod, a cardiac surgeon, was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, before being taken to intensive care.
However, despite the best efforts of his colleagues, Mr Rathod died on Monday morning.
The tragic news was confirmed by health officials on Monday evening.
A statement by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: "It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that Mr Jitendra Rathod, associate specialist in cardiothoracic surgery, has passed away.
"He died early this morning on our general intensive care unit after testing positive for Covid-19."

A cardiothoracic surgeon is a specialist who operates on the heart, lungs and other thoracic (chest) organs.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/03/29/khans-london-police-ask-public-report-coronavirus-hate-crime/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=todays_hottest_stories&utm_campaign=20200329
Khan’s London: Police Want Public to Report Coronavirus ‘Hate Crimes’
4,679
policeODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
JACK MONTGOMERY29 Mar 20202,173
2:05
London’s Metropolitan Police Force is appealing to the public to report “hate crime related to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of your disability, gender, identity, race, or sexual orientation, religion, or any other actual or perceived difference,” intoned an officer identified as “Constable Paul” in the video message the Met shared to social media.
“It doesn’t just mean physical violence,” he assured potential hate reporters. “Someone using offensive language towards you, or harassing you because of who you are, or who they think you are, is also a crime,” he suggested.
Metropolitan Police

@metpoliceuk
Are you a victim or witness of hate crime related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
We do not tolerate hatred or abuse directed at communities because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
If you experience hate crime, please tell us & we will act.
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Keen to remind viewers that London’s police officers are not only concerned with offensive behaviour face to face, Constable Paul went on to note “someone posting abusive ot offensive messages about you online” as another example of a hate crime.
He appeared to be at pains to maximise his police force’s “hate crime” workload, telling viewers: “You might want to shrug it off if it happens to you, but if you tell us then we can investigate and stop it from getting worse, for you or someone else. Even if you’re not sure if it’s a crime or not, you should report it so we can investigate.”
The police force’s efforts to solicit hate crime reports at this time may seem curious to some, given predictions that the country’s lockdown measures could in time lead to unrest among some elements of the populace, and that the coronavirus could slash the force’s manpower by as much as a quarter due to sickness and self-isolation requirements.
Police in Bristol got a small taste of these potential issues within hours of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s initial announcement of lockdown measures, with “youths” who were told to disperse by officers reacting by throwing missiles at them and torching two food delivery vans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ftGzKVDAs&feature=emb_logo
A British Muslim Visits Israel For The First Time: His Shocking Reaction Will SHOCK You
By Phil Schneider - March 26, 2020 4788 0
Why would a Muslim from England decide that Israel ought to be supported and not bashed? It is not due to his Muslim religion, but due to his Western value system. Many Muslims from outside the Middle East live in Westernized countries. There, they are inculcated with many Western liberal values. Once they adopt those value systems, they have taken the first step towards taking on a positive view towards Israel.

Kasim Hafeez, Pro-Israel British Muslim (StandWithUs UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ftGzKVDAs&feature=emb_logo

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It is hard to have a negative opinion about the State of Israel if someone is a genuine liberal. Allan Dershowitz’s book is one of the best on the topic – from the vantage point of a liberal. However, in today’s day and age, liberalism has been replaced by so many young people with narrow or close-minded progressivism. The progressive minds are not focused on facts as much as feelings. So, do facts even matter to them? Very little.

So, a two-pronged approach needs to be taken with young progressive-oriented people. First off, we need to work on convincing them just how wrong it is to ignore facts at the expense of hurt feelings. But, even with those who place feelings at the top of the decision-making pyramid, we need to focus on the “feelings” side of the Israeli-Arab issue. What about the feelings of Israeli children attacked by Arab terrorists through terror tunnels? Moreover, should the cement for the tunnels be funded by US and European taxpayers? We need to use facts, feelings, and anti-progressive arguments in order to combat anti-Israel sentiment.

Hundreds of UK mosques remain open for Jumu’ah despite closure calls
By 5Pillars -5 days ago
Masjid Umar in Leicester remains open
Hundreds of mosques around the UK remained open today for Jumu’ah prayers despite calls for them to shut due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Scores of mosques in Leicester, Lancashire, London, Birmingham, Luton and other parts of the country chose not to shut their doors and introduced restrictions instead, such as urging anyone who has coronavirus symptoms (constant cough or temperature) not come to the mosque at all.
One mosque in Manchester, Jameah Masjid E Noor, even announced a special Jama’ah for the over 50s.
Anti-closure scholars have justified their decision by emphasising the importance of Friday prayers in Islam, the lack of a government ban on mass gatherings, and the fact that general wider society has not shut down.
Earlier today Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad, of the Islamic Council of Europe, reiterated that he categorically disagrees with the full closure of mosques on the grounds that “no one has the right whatsoever to control the Houses of Allah.”
In a fatwa he urged Muslims to try to perform Jumu’ah as much as they can, but if they cannot find a congregation to join then they should try to establish Jumu’ah wherever they can in homes or even in parks. And if they can’t then they must pray Dhuhr instead.
“It could be argued from a worldly perspective that gathering in the mosque for Jum’uah or daily prayers will add to the spread of the virus. While we take all proven precautions, we must remember Allāh is the one who causes means to reach their ends. We remember His ability over all things and His subjugating of the creation to us when we obey His commands and establish His glorification on the earth,” the fatwa said.
Most mosques shut doors 
However, over half the mosques around the country, if not more, closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. These included most of the biggest mosques in the country in major population centres.

Lancashire Council of Mosques also reversed its position last evening and is now calling for daily congregational and Friday prayers to be suspended to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Despite considerable opposition to their stance in a meeting last night they encouraged worshippers to pray at home. Worshippers were also told not to shake hands after prayers and to stop the use of the wudhu area.
A Council statement read: “We recognise how important Friday prayers are to the community, particularly at this difficult time for us all. However, our shared priority must be to keep people safe and give them the best possible advice on how to do this…
“Earlier this week, the Government issued advice on social distancing. This advice urges everyone to avoid large gatherings and also gatherings in smaller public places. It also recommends avoiding gatherings with friends and family. This advice is needed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and also to make sure our hospitals have the capacity they need to cope with the pandemic.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we strongly recommend, from a Public Health perspective, at this stage of the pandemic outbreak, that both daily and Friday congregational prayers and other significant gatherings such as madrassah, courses or lectures are suspended until further notice.”
However, it is not certain if individual mosques in Lancashire will abide by the Council’s advice or not.
https://5pillarsuk.com/2020/03/20/hundreds-of-uk-mosques-remain-open-for-jumuah-despite-closure-calls/

Hundreds of UK mosques remain open for Jumu’ah despite closure calls
By 5Pillars -5 days ago
Masjid Umar in Leicester remains open
Hundreds of mosques around the UK remained open today for Jumu’ah prayers despite calls for them to shut due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Scores of mosques in Leicester, Lancashire, London, Birmingham, Luton and other parts of the country chose not to shut their doors and introduced restrictions instead, such as urging anyone who has coronavirus symptoms (constant cough or temperature) not come to the mosque at all.
One mosque in Manchester, Jameah Masjid E Noor, even announced a special Jama’ah for the over 50s.
Anti-closure scholars have justified their decision by emphasising the importance of Friday prayers in Islam, the lack of a government ban on mass gatherings, and the fact that general wider society has not shut down.
Earlier today Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad, of the Islamic Council of Europe, reiterated that he categorically disagrees with the full closure of mosques on the grounds that “no one has the right whatsoever to control the Houses of Allah.”
In a fatwa he urged Muslims to try to perform Jumu’ah as much as they can, but if they cannot find a congregation to join then they should try to establish Jumu’ah wherever they can in homes or even in parks. And if they can’t then they must pray Dhuhr instead.
“It could be argued from a worldly perspective that gathering in the mosque for Jum’uah or daily prayers will add to the spread of the virus. While we take all proven precautions, we must remember Allāh is the one who causes means to reach their ends. We remember His ability over all things and His subjugating of the creation to us when we obey His commands and establish His glorification on the earth,” the fatwa said.
Most mosques shut doors 
However, over half the mosques around the country, if not more, closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. These included most of the biggest mosques in the country in major population centres.

Lancashire Council of Mosques also reversed its position last evening and is now calling for daily congregational and Friday prayers to be suspended to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Despite considerable opposition to their stance in a meeting last night they encouraged worshippers to pray at home. Worshippers were also told not to shake hands after prayers and to stop the use of the wudhu area.
A Council statement read: “We recognise how important Friday prayers are to the community, particularly at this difficult time for us all. However, our shared priority must be to keep people safe and give them the best possible advice on how to do this…
“Earlier this week, the Government issued advice on social distancing. This advice urges everyone to avoid large gatherings and also gatherings in smaller public places. It also recommends avoiding gatherings with friends and family. This advice is needed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and also to make sure our hospitals have the capacity they need to cope with the pandemic.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we strongly recommend, from a Public Health perspective, at this stage of the pandemic outbreak, that both daily and Friday congregational prayers and other significant gatherings such as madrassah, courses or lectures are suspended until further notice.”
However, it is not certain if individual mosques in Lancashire will abide by the Council’s advice or not.
https://5pillarsuk.com/2020/03/20/hundreds-of-uk-mosques-remain-open-for-jumuah-despite-closure-calls/

https://israelunwired.com/melanie-phillips-explains-why-she-left-the-left/
Melanie Phillips Explains Why She Left the Left
melanie-phillips-on-truth
An incredible commentator explains clearly her path from left to right. Melanie Phillips explains all in this interview, uncovering the reasons behind her move.
Once she was a commentator who clearly was on the left side of the map. She was honest, critical, and very well-spoken. Now, she is perhaps known as the most eloquent and clear-headed thinker on the right in Great Britain. She takes bold stances on Brexit, PC culture, the State of Israel, and other hot-button issues. She never strays from the facts and stays above the fray through her intellect.

"Why I left the left" Melanie Phillips on why she left the Guardian - BQ #13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=161&v=asQ8KFrZY84&feature=emb_logo

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Nearly any clear-minded liberal from the 60’s and 70’s realizes today that the left has been hijacked by progressives. As opposed to standing up for people’s rights for freedoms, the left is filled with endless attempts to quash freedoms – especially freedom of speech.

For Melanie Phillips, this was too much to bear. The facts brought her to clear conclusions. She actually has not changed all that much. The world has changed around her, and much of the left has gone off the deep end. That is why she will – at times – be critical of things she sees on the right side of the map too. But, all in all, her litmus test on any issue is the facts. Wherever the facts lead her – that is where she ends up. She is a breath of fresh air in a world of PC non-fact oriented culture.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/religious-burials-to-be-protected-as-mps-pass-amended-coronavirus-bill/
Religious burials to be protected as MPs pass amended coronavirus bill
'We have worked closely with faith groups, MPs and local authorities to reassure them that we are fully committed to respecting religious practices,' a government spokesperson said
By MATHILDE FROT
March 24, 2020, 10:23 am  1
Screen grab of Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, as he placed the UK on lockdown as the Government seeks to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo credit: PA Video/PA Wire
Screen grab of Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, as he placed the UK on lockdown as the Government seeks to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo credit: PA Video/PA Wire
Religious burials will be protected after MPs passed an amended version of the government’s emergency coronavirus bill.

The 329-page coronavirus bill, which cleared the House of Commons on Monday, is set to go through the upper chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday.


The bill, subject to a six-month review, gives powers to local authorities to dispose of bodies and allows funeral directors to register deaths.

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But it also states that local and national authorities must have regard for “the person’s wishes  … religion or beliefs, if known.”

The government tabled an amendment after calls from MPs and faith leaders, including the Board of Deputies and the MP Naz Shah, who raised concerns about respecting religious practices.

A government spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with faith groups, MPs and local authorities to reassure them that we are fully committed to respecting religious practices.

“We recognise the huge importance of this and will do everything we can to maintain the right for a person or their loved one to have their preferences respected and the wishes of the bereaved upheld.

“These emergency measures are only intended to be an absolute last resort.”

One hundred MPs backed an amendment proposed by Shah to ensure local authorities respect the deceased’s religious beliefs.

The shadow women and equalities minister told Jewish News on Tuesday: “Both Muslim and Jewish communities were rightly anxious and very worried about the possibility of cremation in the original coronavirus bill as it is completely against their faiths.

“I am grateful that government listened to those concerns and made changes to the bill and therefore, I withdrew my amendment. The government has now provided the much needed legal protection.”

She added: “The manner in which Muslim communities and organisations collaborated and worked collectively with Jewish communities and organisations has truly lifted my spirits but also highlights how we, as communities, can collectively work together and stand together with one another at such times.”

The Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl said on Sunday defaulting to cremation could “add to the sorrow of grieving families and go against fundamental freedoms of religion and belief.”

She hailed the amended bill in a statement on Monday as “an inspiring example of interfaith solidarity and responsive government.”

“It shows, even in these difficult times for our nation, why we have so much reason to be proud of this wonderful country,” she said, thanking ministers “for acting speedily to address the concerns raised by Jewish and Muslim communities.”

She also thanked Shah and the Ilford North MP Wes Streeting “for their close communication with us throughout the bill process.”

Senior Reform rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner welcomed the amendment. “I’m pleased that the government have listened to Naz Shah and accepted her amendment,” she said. “This will allow Jewish and Muslim communities to rest assured that no loved ones will be cremated without consultation with families.”

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/03/05/uk-may-shut-down-parliament-for-months-to-curb-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=daily&utm_campaign=20200305&utm_content=Final
UK May Shut Down Parliament For Months to Curb the Spread of the Coronavirus
A tourist wears a surgical face mask as she walks past a red telephone box in central London on March 2, 2020. - Britain's Prime Minister Prime Minister on Monday chaired an emergency COBRA meeting on the coronavirus outbreak, after the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United …TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images
KURT ZINDULKA5 Mar 2020274
2:28
The United Kingdom may shut down parliament to prevent MPs from spreading the coronavirus, as the country saw its largest ever daily increase of cases of the deadly virus.
In an attempt to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus, the UK is considering limiting large public events, closing schools and now the government is reportedly drafting plans to shut down the House of Commons and Lords until September in “the longest summer recess we have known” according to a parliamentary insider.
“We’ve got 650 people who spend half the week spread across the country meeting their constituents and the other half rubbing up against one another in Westminster. It’s 650 superspreaders,” the insider told The Times.
The total number of those infected in the UK reached 87 on Wednesday, with 36 six new cases being confirmed, the largest daily increase since the start of the epidemic. In England, 32 new cases were confirmed and two cases were reported in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Almost all of the new cases were found in people who have either travelled to an infected area or came into contact with someone who did. However, the origin of three of the new cases is currently unexplained, suggesting that transmission may have already begun in the country.
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@BreitbartLondon
Italian Government Closes All Schools over Coronavirus Outbreak https://www.breitbart.com/health/2020/03/04/italian-government-closes-all-schools-over-coronavirus-outbreak/ 
Italian Government Closes All Schools over Coronavirus Outbreak
Italy’s Minister of Education announced Wednesday that due to the coronavirus, all schools and universities in the country will be closed.
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4:36 PM - Mar 4, 2020
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Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer said that the likelihood of a serious outbreak in the UK is “almost certain” and that he expects “some deaths”.
“If we get established transmission in the UK, which I think at this time is more likely than not, then there will be a number of weeks – about six weeks – until we start to see a significant amount of transmission in the UK,” he told Sky News.
“The key thing is we will need to do a variety of interventions, but we do not want to do them too early because we’ll then need to sustain them through the epidemic. So what we’re trying to do is plan to do them at exactly the right point to minimise social disruption but still manage to reduce the impact of this epidemic,” Whitty added.
Whitty said that with the virus spreading quickly throughout Europe, it is unlikely that the UK will “escape” a major outbreak of the coronavirus, that could last for several months.
“With all epidemics, what happens is they start off very slowly and then they gradually gather momentum and then they suddenly go up relatively fast,” he warned.
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Coronavirus: French Government Seizes All Stocks of Face Masks, Thousands Stolen From Hospitals https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/03/04/coronavirus-french-government-seizes-all-stocks-of-face-masks/ 
Coronavirus: French Government Seizes All Stocks of Face Masks
Emmanuel Macron ordered the seizure of all stocks of medical face masks in the face of a growing threat from Coronavirus. 
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British citizens could be told to work from home for at least 3 months to stop the spread of coronavirus
Mar 03, 2020 09:39 pm
British citizens could be told to work from home for at least 3 months to stop the spread of coronavirus
(BI) – British workers could be told to stay at home for up to three months as the country prepares for a major coronavirus outbreak within weeks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday set out his government’s action plan for combating the spread of the deadly virus across the country.

There were 51 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK as of Tuesday lunchtime. Johnson’s government remains focused on containing the disease, which has reached almost every country in Western Europe and claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people worldwide.

Continue reading British citizens could be told to work from home for at least 3 months to stop the spread of coronavirus at End Time Headlines.
https://endtimeheadlines.org/2020/03/british-citizens-could-be-told-to-work-from-home-for-at-least-3-months-to-stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus/

https://politicaluk.co.uk/2020/02/sadiq-khan-reveals-how-he-could-lose-london-mayor-election/?fbclid=IwAR1VtPoXMtAfFoUS0myAf02QPOeFNG5XnmInBc1IMv8pv0bY60J0vpXmCEo
SADIQ KHAN REVEALS HOW HE COULD LOSE LONDON MAYOR ELECTION
Posted by James Cooper | Feb 25, 2020 | Breaking, Labour LOLs, News
Sadiq Khan Reveals How He Could Lose London Mayor Election
SADIQ KHAN HAS WARNED LABOUR PARTY SUPPORTERS AND MEMBERS THAT HE COULD BE AT RISK OF LOSING THE UPCOMING MAYOR ELECTION IN LONDON AND EXPLAINED HOW THIS CAN BE AVOIDED.
Mr Khan is running against Conservative party candidate Shaun Bailey to be the next mayor of London.
Bailey has long criticised the London Mayor for the increase of crime in the nation’s capital. Mr Bailey has pledged to reopen all London police stations closed by the current Mayor.
Sadiq Khan warned the Labour party that he could lose the election if they simply presume that London is a labour area. He emphasised that the reason he won in 2015 was due to “hard work and leadership” and that he wants to see this repeated. If not, he is at risk of losing.
The mayor explained: “Don’t presume that the reason why Labour has worked in London is because of something inherent in London.
“Ten years ago, people said Scotland is a Labour country, so we must never be complacent. The reason we did well in London was because of damn hard work and leadership.”
Shaun Bailey claimed Mr Khan was “useless”, he said: “So what we should do is immediately get rid of the current useless Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who’s doing nothing.”
Sadiq Khan recently visited European Union leaders in Brussels, including lead negotiator, Michel Barnier, and put forward the proposition of associated European citizenship for British citizens after Brexit.
Discussing Labours recent general election loss, Khan said: “There was a route to winning the election where I could just rely upon those who’ve always voted Labour to win.
“That’s not the sort of mayor I wanted to be. I hope I’ve shown I am a mayor for all boroughs. The same goes for national politics.”
He added: “Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to chief executives, investors, innovators but also…to people who work in retail, hospitality and bus depots.
“We’re going to have to learn the lessons of the past and choose somebody who’s going to get back into the habit of winning again.”
Who do you think will win the mayoral elecitons and who do you want to win?




GOVE PRAISED FOR USING “STRONG LANGUAGE” IN WARNING TO EU AS TRADE TALKS START
Posted by James Cooper | Mar 2, 2020 | Breaking, News
Gove Praised For Using “Strong Language” In Warning To EU As Trade Talks Start
MICHAEL GOVE HAS BEEN PRAISED FOR USING “STRONG POLITICAL LANGUAGE” IN A MESSAGE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION PRIOR TO THE FIRST OFFICIAL TRADE MEETING BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND EUROPEAN UNION NEGOTIATORS THIS WEEK.
Mr Gove highlighted how the British government will no longer seek permission from the European Union to act in the future on social and environmental issues and outlined the governments plan for UK waters.

The former environment minister sent a stern message to EU bosses who are calling for the UK to align to their environmental, state aid and workers right regulations after Brexit.
Gove outlined that in some areas the UK has a higher standard than EU regulations and that there will be no reduction in standards in environmental areas.
He said: “In a number of key areas, we either exceed EU standards or have led the way to improved standards. On workers rights, for example, the UK offers a year of maternity leave with the option to convert this to parental leave so that both parents can share care.

“The EU minimum is just 14 weeks. And on environmental standards, we are the first country in the world to introduce legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets through the climate change act.”

Adding: “We do not need the EU’s permission to be a liberal nation leading the world in the fight against climate change and social progress.”
The MP who is in charge of overseeing no-deal preparations also reiterated the governments plan to take back control of UK fishing waters after Brexit and not link UK waters to access to EU markets.
Mr Gove said: ” We will take back control of our waters as an independent coastal state and we will not link access to our waters to access to EU markets. Our fishing waters are our sovereign resource and we want to determine other countries’ access to our resources on our terms,”

One voter commented on the Express website saying: “Was rather pleasing to hear such strong political language in-support of this country, dare I say Boris and Co may just be doing as promised!.
What a wonderful day.”
Another added: “Long Long Long overdue. You have my backing and full support.”
And: “The Tories are learning how to negotiate – nice one! Let’s hope the deeds emulate the words.”
https://politicaluk.co.uk/2020/03/gove-praised-for-using-strong-language-in-warning-to-eu-as-trade-talks-start/

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/keep-talking-report/
Report: London conspiracy group ‘Keep Talking’ uniting far-left and far-right
Warning comes from antisemitism monitor Community Security Trust and anti-fascist group HOPE not hate after three year investigation
By JEWISH NEWS REPORTER
February 24, 2020, 2:35 pm  
Keep Talking co-founder Nick Kollerstrom (Screenshot from YouTube)
A joint report by Britain’s foremost antisemitism monitor and a leading anti-fascist group has shone a light on a conspiracy site called ‘Keep Talking’ which is uniting the far-left with the far-right.

Investigators from the Community Security Trust (CST) and HOPE not hate said they had been tracking users of the site for three years and had come to realise that traditional left-right labels no longer apply in the realm of extremist beliefs.


“The deeper we looked into the ‘Keep Talking’ group, the harder it became to know whether it was far-right, far-left, a mixture of the two, or something else entirely,” said Dave Rich and Joe Mulhall, joint authors of the report.

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“The old political labels no longer apply when you have a shared belief in a hidden hand that secretly runs the world.”

They said social media meant that “even ridiculous cranks have influence and connections today that were unimaginable just a few years ago,” with internet access substituting the need for secret group membership.

“Their conspiracy theories spread across ideologies, connect political movements that were previously opposed to one another, and embed the view that the world is shaped and controlled by hidden hands. And more often than not, just as it always was, that hidden hand is identified as Jewish.”

Among the London group’s co-founders are Ian Fantom, who argued that MI6 poisoned a former Russian spy in Salisbury, and former academic Nick Kollerstrom, who said Auschwitz inmates “sunbathed by the swimming pool”.

Both men engage in a wide range of conspiracy theories, with Fantom having used the diaries of Zionist thinker Theodore Herzl to dismiss reports of antisemitism in the Labour Party in a report published on the far-right website The Unz Review.

In 2015, he wrote that British businessman Cecil Rhodes “was in fact working with Lord Rothschild to create a network of central banks in order to dominate the world by means of financial power”.

Meanwhile Kollerstrom, who has attended several meetings of the far-right group London Forum, has written of “phantom gas chambers” and argued that Israeli intelligence service Mossad was behind 9/11.

In their report, Rich and Mulhall said: “There are few people who can bring fascists and other far-right activists and pro-Palestine Labour activists into the same group, but Kollerstrom and Fantom have made it a regular occurrence.”

Attendees and speakers at Keep Talking events include disgraced jazz singer Gilad Atzmon, expelled union official Peter Gregson and antisemitic singer Alison Chabloz.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/two-neo-nazi-groups-to-be-banned-in-the-uk/
Two neo-Nazi groups to be banned in the UK
Members and anyone found to support the two groups could face up to ten years behind bars
By MATHILDE FROT
February 24, 2020, 2:44 pm  
Priti Patel addressing the Conservative conference in Manchester (Credit: YouTube)
Two neo-Nazi groups are to be banned in the UK as terrorist organisations, the home secretary Priti Patel announced on Monday.

The home office is to proscribe the Sonnenkrieg Division (SKD) – a far-right group which saw two members jailed last year over terror offences.

The orders would recognise the far-right System Resistance Network (SRN) as an alias of the proscribed organisation National Action.

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Members or anyone found to support either could face up to ten years behind bars, the home office said.

“Recent attacks here and in Germany have highlighted the threat we continue to face from violent extremism,” Patel said in a statement on Monday.

She added: “We are working to keep the public safe by increasing funding for counter terror police and strengthening the law to keep terrorists locked up for longer.

“By proscribing these groups we are making it much harder for them to spread their hateful rhetoric.”

Two teenage members of the SKD were jailed in June for encouraging terrorism, with Prince Harry and Jewish people among their suggested targets.

Michal Szewczuk was jailed for over four years, while Oskar Dunn-Koczorowski received an 18-month detention and training order.

An undercover BBC Wales Investigates reporter who infiltrated the SRN in 2018 was urged by the group to read Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf.

The ban was welcomed by the Community Security Trust in a statement on Monday.

But a spokesperson for the security organisation warned “it is important that our community appreciates the growing menace posed by the violent far right here in Britain and around the world”.

Fiyaz Mughal, director and founder of Faith Matters, hailed the “excellent news” and “really positive move.”

He said: “Far right groups like these are a threat because they are far more organised and their planning makes them dangerous to social cohesion and to communities.”

The threat posed by right-wing extremism in the UK is growing rapidly, the Metropolitan Police warned last year.

Its Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in September that of 22 plots thwarted since March 2017, seven were connected to far-right beliefs.

“It’s rising from a low base, but it’s probably the fastest growing bit of my casebook at the moment,” Basu said at the time.


https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/public-meeting-in-parliament-to-discuss-urgent-priority-of-far-right-extremism/
 Public meeting in Parliament to discuss ‘urgent priority’ of far-right extremism
The Labour MP David Lammy is set to attend the meeting chaired by the Board of Deputies vice-president Amanda Bowman
By MATHILDE FROT
February 24, 2020, 12:35 pm  
Flowers surround Stars of David as part of a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue to the 11 people killed during worship services Saturday Oct. 27, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Flowers surround Stars of David as part of a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue to the 11 people killed during worship services Saturday Oct. 27, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A meeting will be held in parliament to address the “urgent priority” of far-right extremism, the Board of Deputies announced today.

The Labour MP David Lammy is set to attend the meeting open to the public next month to be chaired by the Jewish organisation’s vice-president Amanda Bowman.


Other confirmed guests include Elliot Cohen, of the Community Security Trust, Jemma Levene, of the anti-racism charity HOPE not Hate, and Dr Omar Khan, from the Runnymede Trust.

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“There has been a recent upsurge in far-right terrorism in the UK, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the USA and elsewhere,” Bowman said on Monday.

“We are also seeing the worrying re-emergence of far-right political parties and rhetoric. Past history has told us that this cannot go unchallenged, and combatting this lethal hate is an urgent priority for the Jewish community,” she added.

A shooting on two shisha bars in Hanau in Germany that claimed the lives of at least nine people this month was the latest incident of far-right violence.

It followed another deadly shooting which left two people dead during Yom Kippur last year. The attacker attempted to enter a synagogue in the German town of Halle, streaming the incident on social media.

In 2018, the US suffered what is believed to be its worst antisemitic attack in living memory. The shooting on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh claimed the lives of 11 people.

Meanwhile in the UK, the threat posed by right-wing extremism is growing rapidly, the Metropolitan Police warned last year.

Its Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in September that of 22 plots thwarted since March 2017, seven were connected to far-right beliefs.

“It’s rising from a low base, but it’s probably the fastest growing bit of my casebook at the moment,” Basu said at the time.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/bomb-cyclone-storm-uk-dennis-england-flood-warning-winds-heavy-rain-britain
Historic Bomb Cyclone spawned most alerts in England ‘than any other day on record’
Feb 17, 2020 | 0  |     
Historic Bomb Cyclone spawned most alerts in England ‘than any other day on record’
OPINION (ETH) – The crazy and extreme weather continues to be seen across the World as now England has just witnessed history unfold as the deadly winter “Bomb Cyclone” that ripped across Britain on Sunday, producing extensive wind damage and rainfall also prompted the largest number of weather warnings and alerts ever recorded in a single day for the UK. According to the Met Office, Britain’s meteorological service. Storm Dennis was expected to dump 5 1/2 inches of rain in south Wales before gradually tapering off.

According to a report from Fox News, The weather service issued a rare “red warning” for life-threatening flooding in that region. Numerous rescues were reported throughout the area. The storm was dubbed a “bomb cyclone” after rapidly intensifying near Iceland Friday before slamming Britain over the weekend.

Bomb cyclones drop some 24 millibars (or atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A typical range in millibars is around 10 to 15.  The National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center said Storm Dennis deepened by 40 millibars in 24 hours, becoming one of the five strongest non-tropical cyclones on record in the North Atlantic. 
MORE https://www.foxnews.com/world/bomb-cyclone-storm-uk-dennis-england-flood-warning-winds-heavy-rain-britain

Bomb cyclone storm rips across UK, spawns most flood warnings, alerts in England 'than any other day on record'
Travis FedschunBy Travis Fedschun | Fox News

Fox News Flash top headlines for Feb. 16
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

An explosive winter storm roared across Britain on Sunday, packing high winds and heavy rain that prompted a record number of flood warnings in England.

The Met Office, Britain's meteorological service, said Storm Dennis was expected to dump 5 1/2 inches of rain in south Wales before gradually easing.

The weather service issued a rare "red warning" for life-threatening flooding in that region. Numerous rescues were reported throughout the area.

The storm was dubbed a "bomb cyclone" after rapidly intensifying near Iceland Friday before slamming Britain over the weekend.

SURFERS CATCH LARGE WAVES FROM MAJOR EUROPE STORM UNDER BRIDGE IN ENGLAND

Bomb cyclones drop some 24 millibars (or atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A typical range in millibars is around 10 to 15.

NWS OPC

@NWSOPC
#hurricaneforce conditions continue near a strong 920 mb low in the N Atlantic per the 18 UTC surface analysis. #marinewx

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The National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center said Storm Dennis deepened by 40 millibars in 24 hours, becoming one of the five strongest non-tropical cyclones on record in the North Atlantic.

As the storm system punished the U.K., flood warnings were in place Sunday from northern Scotland to southwest England.

Powerful waves break on the shoreline around the small port of Porthleven, south west England, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020.
Powerful waves break on the shoreline around the small port of Porthleven, south west England, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

John Curtin, director of flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, tweeted Sunday that there were 594 flood warnings and alerts in effect in England -- more "than any other day on record."


John Curtin
@johncurtinEA
BREAKING: we now have the most flood warnings and alerts in force (594) in England than any other day on record. Stay safe and updated here https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings 

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That number reached 600 later in the day, Sky News reported.

The fourth named storm of Europe's winter season has already been blamed for the deaths of two men, who were pulled Saturday from the water in separate searches off England's southeastern coast. Another man died Sunday after falling into the River Tawe in south Wales, according to police.

torm Dennis roared across Britain on Sunday, lashing towns and cities with high winds and dumping so much rain that authorities urged residents to protect themselves from flooding.
torm Dennis roared across Britain on Sunday, lashing towns and cities with high winds and dumping so much rain that authorities urged residents to protect themselves from flooding. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

Wales appeared to be bearing the brunt of the two-day storm after a month's amount of rain fell in just 48 hours. Major incidents were declared by emergency services in south Wales and parts of England as police and firefighters worked to rescue people trapped after rivers burst their banks, Reuters reported.

An ambulance, left, and a vehicle are submerged after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020.
An ambulance, left, and a vehicle are submerged after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

“Agencies are continuing to deal with multiple floods and landslides, and have been required to evacuate residents from houses,” South Wales Police said in a statement.“Some communities have been cutoff as a result, but emergency service workers are working tirelessly to put measures in place to ensure the safety of residents."

MAJOR WINTER STORM IN EUROPE LEAVES SEVERAL DEAD, CREATES WIDESPREAD TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS

The Met Office said the highest wind gust recorded was 91 mph at Aberdaron in north Wales on Saturday. A total of 6.1 inches of rain fell at Crai Reservoir in the Welsh county of Powys over 48 hours.

A member of the public is rescued after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020.
A member of the public is rescued after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

Flood warnings could remain in place for a while since much of Britain is still saturated from last week's Storm Ciara, which left eight people dead across Europe.

Powerful waves break on the shoreline around the small port of Porthleven, south west England, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020.
Powerful waves break on the shoreline around the small port of Porthleven, south west England, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

“Whilst the heaviest rain has cleared from Northern Ireland and Scotland, England and Wales will continue to see heavy rain on Sunday, with a risk of severe flooding in places,'' said Andy Page, the Met Office's chief meteorologist.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE WEATHER COVERAGE FROM FOX NEWS

Hundreds of flights were canceled due to high winds, while train service was disrupted by flooding, affecting tens of thousands of passengers as British families leave for the mid-winter school break.

People watch waves and rough seas pound against the harbor wall at Porthcawl in Wales, as Storm Dennis sweeps across the country, Saturday Feb. 15, 2020.
People watch waves and rough seas pound against the harbor wall at Porthcawl in Wales, as Storm Dennis sweeps across the country, Saturday Feb. 15, 2020. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

On Saturday, about 75 British army personnel and 70 reservists were deployed to communities in the flooded Calder Valley region of West Yorkshire, constructing flood barriers and repairing damaged flood defenses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/02/15/boris-risks-trade-deals-us-relationship-as-pm-scraps-international-trips-report/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=todays_hottest_stories&utm_campaign=20200215
Boris Risks U.S. Relationship, Trade Deals as PM Scraps International Trips
257
HERTFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson onstage during the annual NATO heads of government summit on December 4, 2019 in Watford, England. France and the UK signed the Treaty of Dunkirk in 1947 in the aftermath of WW2 cementing a mutual …Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images
VICTORIA FRIEDMAN15 Feb 2020424
2:36
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to be putting Britain’s future trade deals at risk by delaying international trips.
The prime minister is particularly at risk of further isolating U.S. President Donald Trump by postponing a U.S. trip which had been pencilled in for next month, putting it off until June.
Johnson has already reportedly scrapped planned visits to Washington in January and February.

Downing Street sources speaking to The Sun confirmed the trip had been postponed, but denied rumours that Johnson was deliberating slighting the President, rather that he was keen to stay in the United Kingdom to ensure his domestic agenda is carried out.

Making a Lord of the Rings reference, a Number 10 source told the tabloid: “Levelling up the country, making the streets safe and sorting out the NHS is why the PM won the election.
“When the Eye of Sauron is off the Whitehall machine, things stop working. That is why he has stripped down all his foreign travel this year to get his agenda done.”
Breitbart London
@BreitbartLondon
Delingpole: Boris’s Sinister Henchman Dominic Cummings Exerts His Iron Grip https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/02/13/boriss-sinister-henchman-dominic-cummings-exerts-his-iron-grip/ …
Boris's Sinister Henchman Dominic Cummings Exerts His Iron Grip
There is blood all over the carpet of 10 Downing Street today as Boris Johnson's sinister henchman ruthlessly defenestrated ministers.

breitbart.com
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However, staff are also concerned about the effect that Johnson stepping back from the world stage is having on the progress of signing post-Brexit free trade deals. So far this year, the prime minister has left his foreign secretary to do the heavy lifting.

Dominic Raab recently returned from a trip to Asia to court diplomats for future trade deals, with the foreign secretary going to Japan rather than Johnson himself. A possible trade deal trip to New Zealand and Australia was also reportedly shelved.

“There is a lot of concern about this,” Downing Street staff told The Sun. “If we don’t do any trade tours this year, it’s going to affect the entire Brexit process. The PM is our best asset.”

The postponed trips to Washington may add further strain to the Special Relationship. On Wednesday, Johnson had criticised the U.S.-UK extradition treaty, calling it “imbalanced” — the remarks coming after ongoing concerns over the prime minister’s decision to allow Huawei to support the construction of the British 5G network, against the security recommendations of allies including the United States.

Nigel Farage wrote this week that Boris’s Huawei decision could threaten a future U.S. trade deal and “imperils” Five Eyes intelligence sharing, adding: “Forming ties with this company is proving to be a monumental mistake at a time when the special relationship should be flourishing.”
Breitbart London
@BreitbartLondon
Farage: UK’s Huawei Decision ‘Imperils Intelligence Sharing’, U.S. Trade Deal https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/02/14/farage-boris-huawei-decision-imperils-intelligence-sharing-trade-deal/ …
Farage: Boris's Huawei Decision 'Imperils Intelligence Sharing'
Nigel Farage has warned Johnson's decision to allow Huawei to assist in the development of the 5G network "imperils" intelligence sharing.

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Largest storm in 7 years to hammer UK -1000 Miles Wide – 200 Flights canceled
Feb 08, 2020 11:25 pm
Largest storm in 7 years to hammer UK -1000 Miles Wide – 200 Flights canceled
(EXPRESS) – The 1,000 mile-wide storm, the strongest to sweep across the country for seven years, will bring travel chaos and the advice is “only travel if absolutely necessary”.  Ciara will make driving hazardous, ground flights and cause trains and ferries to be delayed or canceled. Power cuts are likely as overhead cables come down. Thirty-foot waves are forecast to hit coastal areas of south-west and north-west England today, prompting the Met Office to issue amber weather warnings for most of England and Wales.
Continue reading Largest storm in 7 years to hammer UK -1000 Miles Wide – 200 Flights canceled at End Time Headlines.
https://endtimeheadlines.org/2020/02/largest-storm-in-7-years-to-hammer-uk-1000-miles-wide-200-flights-canceled/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51412033#_=_
Cathays murder: Three men jailed for life after killing teen
4 hours ago
Media captionCCTV footage shows the final moments before Fahad Mohamed Nur was attacked
Three men who "hunted down" and stabbed a teenager to death have been jailed.
Fahad Mohamed Nur, 18, was found with 21 knife wounds near Cathays railway station in Cardiff last June.
Shafique Shaddad, 25, from Butetown, and brothers Mustafa Aldobhani, 22, and Abdulgalil Aldobhani, 23, from Cathays, were found guilty of murder by a jury.

All three were jailed for life. Shaddad was given a minimum term of 23 years, Mustafa Aldobhaini 22-and-a-half years and Abdulgalil Aldobhani 24 years.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Hilliard said it was "plain that Fahad Nur was involved in supplying drugs on the street".
He said there were "tensions between rival drug-dealers" and this dispute was "most likely behind what's happened".
"It was their intention to trap him in the lane... this was a very tight-knit, joint-enterprise - everyone was playing an important part for the common purpose," he told Cardiff Crown Court.

"I'm sure that he [Fahad] was not the aggressor - I'm sure they decided to attack Fahad Nur. This is not a case of spontaneous violence - it was pre-meditated."

Image copyrightSOUTH WALES POLICE
Image caption
Fahad Mohamed Nur had 21 knife wounds, including a fatal injury through the heart
The judge praised passerby Ethan Moore, who intervened when Mr Nur was being kicked on the ground.

He said Mr Moore should be commended for his courage and public spiritedness, awarding him £400 from public funds.

Prosecutors described the three men trying to "hunt down" Mr Nur after spotting him riding a bike.

Shortly after midnight on 2 June, the three men chased the teenager to a lane behind a Cardiff University building.

Stabbing death accused 'breaking up street fight'
Stabbing victim 'was the aggressor'
Image copyrightSOUTH WALES POLICE
Image caption
(L-R) Abdulgalil Aldobhani, Mustafa Aldobhani and Shafique Shaddad were sentenced to life in prison
He was attacked and left in the street with multiple stab wounds, including a fatal knife wound to the heart.

Mr Nur later died at the University Hospital of Wales.

He had almost £1,000 in cash and a large quantity of Class A drugs on him when he was killed.

One defence barrister described Mr Nur as "a drug dealer on active duty" on the night he was stabbed.

Image copyrightCPS
Image caption
Two weeks after the attack, a meat cleaver and a kitchen knife were found hidden in the hollow of a tree
A victim impact statement from Mr Nur's sister, which was read to the court on Tuesday, said: "He was ambushed and stabbed to death in such a cowardly and vicious attack when he was clearly running away.

"He was a young educated boy who had ambitions and dreams. He was loved by so many people. It was a senseless and horrific act of evil."

Speaking after the sentencing, senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Mark O'Shea said the case "highlights the devastating and far-reaching consequences of knife crime".

A fourth defendant, Aseel Arar, 35, from Middle Park Road, Birmingham, was found guilty of assisting an offender. She will be sentenced later this month.

The three killers all denied murder but were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court after more than 27 hours of deliberating by the jury.

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/emergency-services-rush-blackpool-town-15975149?utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR02HaNT622Zh_LtVjRnmqnqG90u5cz4K7Kp_K0JzsuIHeAMdb0rxD_dGhs

A man has suffered 'serious facial injuries' after a double stabbing in Blackpool town centre.

Police were called to reports of an assault close to the Wilko Store, in the Dickson Road area, at around 1.05pm today.

A 24-year-old was found stabbed in the back.

Around one hour later a second man in his 20s was stabbed close to the same store and suffered 'serious facial injuries'.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

Detectives said the 24-year-old man injured in the first incident has been detained in connection with the second attack.

He is currently being treated at Blackpool Victora Hospital with 'minor injuries'.

Lancashire Constabulary said both incidents are believed to be linked and an investigation is underway.

Det Insp Kevin Simmons, of Blackpool CID, said: “We are appealing for information after two men were stabbed in Blackpool.

“Officers have quickly attended the scenes and detained one man, who was later taken to hospital for treatment.

“We understand this was concerning for people in the area but we would like to reassure people police are at the scene and enquiries are on-going.”

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Appeal launched after teenager was reportedly touched inappropriately
North West Ambulance Service sent a rapid response vehicle, ambulance and air ambulance to the scene.

A spokesperson said: "“We were called at around 2.04pm.

“We are dealing with a male patient who has a head injury.

“A rapid response vehicle, ambulance and air ambulance have been sent to the scene.

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/emergency-services-rush-blackpool-town-15975149?utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR02HaNT622Zh_LtVjRnmqnqG90u5cz4K7Kp_K0JzsuIHeAMdb0rxD_dGhs

“This is a police incident."

The road is closed in both directions and traffic is being diverted away from the scene.

Bus services 3 and 4 are being diverted to Talbot Road, onto the promenade and then back in towards the Claremont Hotel and onto normal route.


This is in effect in both directions.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log 0637 of March 14.

We will be bringing you live updates on this incident via our live blog here

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/brexit-day-british-jews/
What does Brexit Day mean for British Jews?
From shechita and security to UK-Israel trade, we look at the impact of today's exit from the EU on the community
By STEPHEN ORYSZCZUK 
January 31, 2020, 11:39 am
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The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union at 11pm on Friday. (Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union at 11pm on Friday. (Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
Today is Brexit Day – when the  UK officially leaves the European Union.  In the days leading up to 31 January, experts have been quick to reassure that the country’s withdrawal from the European Union will not adversely affect Jewish life here.

This follows several meetings with government ministers, most recently with Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, to discuss a range of issues, notably Jewish religious slaughter (shechita) and kosher food pricing, including post-Brexit tariffs, imports and exports, non-stun labelling, and abattoir certification.


Other areas of concern discussed included visas for security and care staff at Jewish institutions, the UK’s post-Brexit sanctions regime, the continuation of existing European funding for Jewish organisations, and a future UK-Israel trade deal.

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Interestingly, the Board of Deputies – which initiated last week’s meeting with Barclay – said Jewish representatives pushed the case for “ensuring that the UK retains its reputation as an inclusive society after Brexit”.

Board vice president Amanda Bowman described these as “the key issues arising for the Jewish community from Brexit” after the meeting, which was also attended by representatives from the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Shechita UK.


Amanda Bowman meeting with Steve Barclay
“We were able to thank Mr Barclay for the government’s action on a range of issues and ask for additional work on a few additional matters leading up to and following Brexit,” she said. “We were very pleased to hear his strong commitment to working with us.”

Barclay later tweeted that the government “looks forward to working with the Jewish community to make Brexit a success for all parts of our country”. But does he and the government still have work to do?

Privately, several Jewish representatives all told Jewish News that their Brexit fears had been assuaged by ministers over several months. One said: “With the Tories’ commanding new majority, we’re really not worried.”

On trade – until now covered by an EU-Israel deal – there was an early win in February last year, when Israel and the UK signed a bilateral post-Brexit deal replicating the existing EU agreement. Had that not been forthcoming, it could have impacted on Israeli goods, religious items and even UK-Israel flights.

By the summer, there were still some areas of concern, enough for Jewish groups to list these publicly. One such concern was sanctions, since the UK’s and EU’s list of terror groups subject to financial sanctions have not covered the same organisations.

Until now, groups such as the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the political wing of Hamas were technically only subject to UK sanctions by virtue of being under a wider EU sanctions regime.


Hamas fighters
“Unless the Treasury takes action, the PFLP, the political wing of Hamas, and The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade will enjoy the lifting of financial sanctions when the UK leaves the EU,” the Board and JLC warned in 2018.

The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 lets the UK carry over the EU sanctions regime, and while it does not list the organisations covered, the Board said it had “received assurances from ministers” that the same groups would be included.

“The government intends to strengthen sanctions, not weaken them,” said one well-placed communal source. “Our question was, how do we know if the same organisations will be listed? Given that this is now a ministerial power, we are following up with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but there is no disagreement. It seems ministers now have it in hand.” Another said: “We were just making sure it was still on their radar.”

Kosher food had the potential to cause more problems. Agriculture legislation has always sat with the EU, and the Agriculture Bill translates this across, including laws governing the stun- and non-stun slaughter of animals for food.

“MPs and peers may seek to add [anti-shechita] amendments to this Bill,” another representative said. “But we’ve discussed this with ministers, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and, in some cases, individual MPs.

“We’re not expecting any surprises. The government has literally spent hours and hours talking to us to maintain things as they are now.”

This has allayed concern about the UK no longer coming under the European Court of Justice, which offers more protection from a human rights perspective, should Jewish groups have needed to challenge any new directive in the court of law.

Likewise, there were worries regarding possible additional tariffs, with some suggesting that kosher food may be classed as a “luxury good” or “premium product” and hit with higher tariffs in any post-Brexit trade world.

However, the majority of kosher meat for the UK market is produced in half a dozen UK abattoirs and, while any foodstuffs imported into the UK could well become more expensive in a no-deal scenario, it is “highly unlikely” extra tariffs would hit kosher products simply because of their designation.

Shimon Cohen, campaign director of Shechita UK, said: “Following Brexit, we will be in a transition period and, therefore, there will be little real impact until the end of the year.


Kosher slaughter
“Shechita UK has had an ongoing dialogue with DEFRA since the referendum to ensure that shechita is protected post-Brexit and, as of today, we are not expecting any significant changes post the transition period.”

Another practical issue has been workforce supply. Many security guards and care workers employed in the Jewish community are EU migrants, and a “key ask” of the Board and JLC in March 2018 was that the UK maintained a “liberal” visa regime. “While those who are already in the UK can apply for settled status, it might be harder to attract new workers, particularly if migration is to be significantly cut,” warned the Board.

“The result could be rising labour costs meaning, for example, that the government’s [£14 million annual] grant to the Community Security Trust covers less, or that Jewish care budgets are stretched even further.”


Boris Johnson signing the EU Withdrawal Agreement
The government said it plans to introduce an immigration system that does not discriminate in favour of the EU, raising the prospect of Israeli guards on school gates.

The final and most ominous warning was on tolerance and the perceived rush to populism, first iterated in August and reiterated to Barclay last week. “Where there is political chaos or economic disruption, people often seek a scapegoat… Jews and other minorities have often borne the brunt of this,” said the Board.  “We must continue to insist on a society that respects and celebrates different groups, whether Jews, Muslims, European citizens or other minorities.”

The lurch towards nationalism and rise of intolerance has not only affected politics in the UK – it has become ingrained in developed nations in Europe, as well as states such as Brazil, Turkey, Russia and United States.

“The concern is around some of this xenophobic nationalism in parts of Europe and some of the language around immigrants in the UK,” said one participant. “He [Barclay] said they wanted a global Britain, open to the world and not just to the EU. Let’s see. He wanted to meet us, so let’s hope that’s symbolic.”

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/sadiq-khan-hmd-auschwitz/
London mayor denounces Poland over Holocaust revisionism
EXCLUSIVE: Sadiq Khan says City Hall gave Auschwitz £300,000 to stop the ‘rewriting of history’
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By JENNI FRAZER 
January 30, 2020, 1:53 pm
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Sadiq Khan hand-in-hand with Holocaust survivor Renee Salt at Auschwitz, at the event marking 75 years since the liberation of the camp
Sadiq Khan hand-in-hand with Holocaust survivor Renee Salt at Auschwitz, at the event marking 75 years since the liberation of the camp
London mayor Sadiq Khan stepped into the controversy over claims of Polish Holocaust revisionism this week, revealing a £300,000 City Hall donation to Auschwitz was motivated in part to address the “rewriting of history”

Khan, who attended the Auschwitz 75 commemorations on Monday, told Jewish News he was anxious about the way in which the Polish government was speaking about its role in relation to the Nazi genocide.


He said he was unhappy about Polish president Andrzej Duda’s decision to block the reappointment of Dariusz Stola, the former director of the Polin museum of the history of Polish Jews in Warsaw.

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Khan added the intention behind the London donation was to preserve historical facts. Poland’s right-wing government has repeatedly presented Poland as the victim of the Nazis without reference to antisemitism before, during and after the Holocaust.

In interview at Auschwitz with Polish TV, the mayor said: “We must be vigilant and we cannot be complacent.”

Khan’s first action as mayor was to speak at a Holocaust Memorial Day event and he has maintained regular contact with survivors and Holocaust charities ever since.


This week’s Jewish News front page
The Polish Embassy in the UK responded to Jewish News, saying: “We appreciate Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s donation to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation. It will support Poland’s efforts to preserve the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, with our country allocating nearly £14 million for this purpose in various forms each year.

“Poland plays the role of one of the guardians of the memory of millions of Jews murdered. Out of six million Jews – victims of Holocaust, three million were Jews – citizens of Poland. With that in mind, claims that history is being rewritten by Poland are unfounded and must be addressed.

“So, while we need to face the truth that some individuals were forced by the German occupier to collaborate with German Nazi machinery of extermination or even did so of their own will, these attitudes were not, however, dominant or typical. The Polish state consequently opposed the Holocaust, informed the international public opinion about the Holocaust, and appealed to Allied governments to undertake actions to stop it.”


Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, left, and the director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr Cywinski (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The ongoing diplomatic row between Poland, Russia and the Jewish world flared into life last week at Yad Vashem when President Duda refused to attend the Yad Vashem ceremonies because he was not allowed to speak — although Putin was.

This week Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, threw his hat into the ring as an unanticipated guest at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation’s dinner for survivors in Krakow.

During an earlier World Jewish Congress event that day, the former Israeli ambassador, Colette Avital, spoke critically of both presidents Duda and Putin “giving their own interpretation of history.”.

She said there had been a “re-writing of history, including that of Poland. We are seeing people who need to re-create their identity and embellish the past. We have a moral duty to remember responsibly”.

Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees, said: “While it is absolutely appropriate to remember that Polish citizens suffered brutally under Nazi occupation, the Mayor of London is correct to highlight the concerns raised by many of the world’s leading Holocaust scholars that the current government of Poland is attempting to stifle discussion of well-documented collaboration by some Poles.

“Poland can mourn its persecuted and murdered citizens; honour its rescuers and resisters; and cast a critical spotlight on its collaborators at the same time. There should be no shame in addressing history in all its complexity.”

Read more:

Sadiq Khan: As the years go by, we must work harder to remember  
2-0! Jewish News wins second Polish legal case