WQ86361 (e) Tabled on 19/10/2022

What discussions has the Minister had with Jewish groups in Wales about anti-semitism?

Answered by Minister for Social Justice | Answered on 28/10/2022

I have regular meetings with representatives of the Jewish faith through the Faith Forum. At these meetings discrimination and hate against faith groups are discussed. I am looking forward to joining members of the Jewish community in December for the civic Chanukah lighting.

Eradicating racism and promoting race equality have always been priorities for the Welsh Government. Anti-racist Action Wales Action Plan for Wales is built on the values of anti-racism and calls for zero tolerance of racism in all its guises. The plan, developed collaboratively with our racially diverse communities, addresses all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, with a set of deliverable actions to tackle racism and racial inequality.

The Anti-racist Wales Action Plan contains the following goals and actions to tackle anti-Semitism in all its forms:

  • Create sustainable funding arrangements to fund Holocaust Memorial Day.
  • Continue funding Holocaust Education Trust (HET) “Lessons from Auschwitz” programme. 
  • Reinforce our commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of anti-Semitism.
  • Mainstream tackling anti-Semitism in Welsh Government’s anti-racism training and policy-making processes
  • Ensure the Hate Hurts Wales campaign highlights the harm caused by religious hate and bigotry.

The First Minister met the Board of Deputies of British Jews last year. The meeting included a discussion about anti-Semitism.