Asked by: Baroness Warsi (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the official invitation by the government of Israel to Stephen Yaxley-Lennon to Israel and of the impact on public order and community relations in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Government's priority is to support and promote community cohesion across the UK, working closely with local authorities, devolved administrations, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments.
The government's new £2.87 million Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion in England by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues.
Asked by: Baroness Warsi (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Israel's support for and association with far-right activists in the United Kingdom, and of the impact on community relations in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Government's priority is to support and promote community cohesion across the UK, working closely with local authorities, devolved administrations, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments.
The government's new £2.87 million Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion in England by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues.
Asked by: Baroness Warsi (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs funded an online disinformation campaign targeting US and Canadian audiences with Islamophobic content.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
No assessment of those reports have been made, but we keep all such matters under review.
Asked by: Baroness Warsi (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with counter-terrorism policing units about online reports of threats to kill directed at mosques and Muslim communities.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
There is no excuse for violence or threats targeted at Muslim communities. The Government is committed to safeguarding the right to practise faith freely and safely, including at places of worship.
While we do not disclose details of operational discussions, the Home Secretary regularly meets Counter Terrorism Policing to discuss current threats and risks.
We have robust legislation to address threatening, abusive and harassing behaviour, including laws against inciting racial and religious hatred. Online hate is also a priority illegal harm under the Online Safety Act 2023, which places legal duties on platforms to proactively prevent and remove such content, and to take other steps to reduce abuse on their platforms.
We continue to support the police in taking strong action against those who seek to harm or intimidate communities.