During his statement in the House of Commons the previous day, announcing UK government sanctions on the import of goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Ed Miliband had referenced his identity as a British Jew.  He also made this point at the start of this interview.  It was in this context that Justin Webb raised the foreign secretary’s heritage when discussing this issue. 

The interview followed the warning from Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis that these sanctions would make British Jews less safe. As Justin explained, the rise in antisemitism in recent years has led to violent attacks and increased security at synagogues. It was in this context that he asked Mr Miliband whether he would be attending synagogue. 

We appreciate there is diversity amongst the British Jewish community both in terms of views held and identity and that a number of those who identify as Jewish in the UK do not actively practise Judaism.