Bishop condemns anti-Semitic hate crime at Blackpool synagogue and urges cross-faith community-building

The Bishop of Blackburn has condemned the “grotesque” defacement of a Blackpool synagogue, warning that rising anti-Semitism is leaving Jewish communities feeling “vulnerable and bewildered”, as faith leaders across the Fylde coast rallied in support of the congregation.

Nazi symbols were among the graffiti daubed across the entrance to the Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation’s premises in central Blackpool, in an incident being investigated by police as a hate crime.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev. Philip North, said the desecration of the synagogue was an assault on the values of respect, dignity and freedom of religion, and called for an unwavering rejection of anti-Semitism.

He said: "I utterly condemn those who have defaced Blackpool Reform Synagogue in this grotesque way. The desecration of a place of worship is an assault on the values of respect, dignity and freedom of religion that bind us together as a society.

"The rising tide of anti-Semitism we have seen in our country in recent times is deeply disturbing. It leaves many of our Jewish brothers and sisters feeling vulnerable and bewildered. We must be unwavering in rejecting anti-Semitism wherever it appears - it has no place in our communities in Lancashire, our nation and public life.

"The Diocese of Blackburn stands in solidarity with Blackpool Reform Synagogue and with Jewish people across Lancashire and beyond. We hold them in our prayers and reaffirm our commitment to building communities where people of every faith live, worship and flourish in peace, safety and mutual respect."

The synagogue’s faith leaders have thanked the Blackpool community for standing with them following the attack, describing the vandalism as upsetting but saying the outpouring of support had helped turn a distressing time into one marked by love.

The congregation has received messages of support from community and faith leaders across Blackpool and the Fylde coast, who have condemned the incident as appalling and said those responsible should feel ashamed. The Gazette has purposefully chosen not to share images of the anti-Semitic vandalism.

‘Horror, disbelief and sadness’

Rachel Tax, president of the Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation, said: “My feelings when I first saw it were horror, disbelief and sadness,” she said. “The Reform Congregation has been in Blackpool for 65 years and we have never had any trouble like this before.

“The Blackpool community has always been very welcoming to Jewish people and we are so grateful for all the support which has been shown to us since this incident. It is only this year that we have had to introduce security, because of events elsewhere, but we are looking at stepping it up now.

“We are one of the only synagogues anywhere not to be fenced off but we might well have to look at that also now.”