Oxfordshire Leaders Condemn Antisemitic Attack on Jewish Community Ambulances

Thursday 25 March | Oxford

Oxfordshire Civic, Community and Faith Leaders stand together in shock and deep concern following reports that four Jewish community ambulances have been set on fire in London in a suspected antisemitic arson attack. This attack on vehicles dedicated to saving lives is an affront to the values of decency, mutual care and respect that we cherish in Oxfordshire and across the United Kingdom.

We extend our solidarity and unwavering support to the Jewish communities of London, Oxfordshire, and across the country; to the volunteers and staff who operate these vital ambulance services; and to all who now feel fearful or vulnerable. No one should have to live in fear because of their faith, ethnicity or identity.

We unequivocally condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and all forms of racism, hatred and bigotry. Upholding British values of fairness, the rule of law, mutual respect and freedom of religion is one of the most powerful ways we can stand together against such hatred and ensure that every community knows it belongs.

At this difficult time, we recommit ourselves to continuing to stand visibly with targeted communities, challenging hatred wherever and however it appears, and working together for a society where everyone can live, worship and serve others in safety and peace.

A full alphabetical list of the Oxfordshire Civic, Community and Faith Leaders’ Group:

Fiaz Ahmed, Shaikh Bin Baaz Mosque
Cllr Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for A Safer Oxford, Oxford City Council
Mark Bhagwandin, Secretary, Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project
Revd Canon Dr Charlotte Bannister-Parker, Chair, OxCoF
Cllr Susan Brown, Leader, Oxford City Council
Robert Buckeldee, Oxfordshire Lieutenancy
Revd Anthony Buckley, City Rector
The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford
Jane Clements
Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester
The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford (Co-Chair)
Ben Clark, Chief Superintendent of Oxfordshire, Thames Valley Police
Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Surinder Dhesi DL, Banbury Sikh Community
Anneliese Dodds, MP
John Dunston, President of the Oxford Jewish Congregation
Penny Faust, Former Chair of Oxford Council of Faiths & Jewish community
Marjorie Glasgow, Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire
Louise Gordon, Council Member, Oxford Jewish Congregation
Dr Gian Gopal, Hindu Community
Caroline Green, Chief Executive, Oxford City Council
Ian Green, Chair, Oxford Civic Society
Dave Hession, Community and Diversity Officer, Thames Valley Police
Imam Monawar Hussain, Founder, The Oxford Foundation (Co-Chair)
Mutahar Islam, South Oxfordshire Muslim Community
Rev Jon Keyworth, Minister, New Road Baptist Church, Oxford
Sadat Khan, President, Madina Mosque (representing Oxford Three Mosques)
Cllr Liz Lefman, Leader, Oxfordshire County Council
Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety
Calum Miller, MP
Layla Moran, MP
Jawaid Malik, JP, Vice Chair, Oxford Council of Faiths and Chair, Asian Cultural Centre Association
Ajaz Rehman, Central Oxford Mosque
Dr Hamid al-Shejni, Chairman, Abingdon Muslim Association
Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford
Bishop Memory Tapfumaneyi
Rebecca Vickers, Baha’i community
Dr. Reuven Ziegler, Jewish community