In her statement on earned settlement earlier this week, Shabana Mahmood stated that “solidarity is the precondition for social justice”.
We are clear: the value of solidarity – which is core to Jewish teaching and drives our work alongside displaced people – is completely absent from the Government’s proposals.
Protection should be permanent. Forcing refugees into up to 30 years of uncertainty – all while having their status reviewed every 30 months – is deeply unfair and merely punishes people for seeking safety.
Jewish refugees have historically been able to rebuild new lives in this country. The young people we work with today need that same stability to study, work and plan for their futures. Making it harder to settle in this country does not remove their need for sanctuary.
We know too that faith groups across the country – including synagogues and Jewish groups – work every day to welcome refugees into their local communities. The Government should follow that example.
We urge the Home Secretary to rethink her proposals.
