Council leader's support for Jewish community after anti-Semitic graffiti

Leeds City Council Leader Councillor Judith Blake has written to the leaders of the Etz Chaim synagogue on Harrogate Road expressing her shock at anti-Semitic graffti there and offering the council's full support.

Police were informed after the graffiti was found daubed there earlier this week and In a letter to Rabbi Shalom Kupperman and Rabbi Anthony Gilbert, Cllr Blake said:

"I was horrified to see the anti-Semitic graffiti that appeared at Etz Chaim earlier this week.

"Anti-Semitism has no place in our society or in our city and on behalf of Leeds City Council I wanted to offer you our full support as we stand together to reject hatred and discrimination in all its forms.

"Leeds is an Inclusive city that values its diversity. Please assure your congregation and the wider community that officers in the council and our partners in West Yorkshire Police are continuing to work together to combat anti-Semitic hate crime.

"The 14^th of October marks the start of Hate Crime Awareness Week and this incident has served as a timely reminder that we must continue to be vigilant.

"If there is anything we can in do in particular in response to this incident that is not already happening please do get in touch. I wish you and your congregation a Happy New Year."

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