UN Human Rights Council 61: UK Statement for the Item 9 General Debate

25.3.2026

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 UK Statement for the Item 9 General Debate. Delivered at the 61st Human Rights Council in Geneva. 


Thank you, Mr Vice President,

In the United Kingdom, as elsewhere, antisemitism has been rising in recent years. Last October, in an appalling terrorist attack in Manchester, two people tragically lost their lives. And this week, in the early hours of Monday morning, the London Jewish community was targeted. Ambulances operated by the Hatzola emergency service – which helps people of all religions and of none – were deliberately set alight.

Sadly, we have seen how events in the Middle East are used as an excuse to stir up hatred against Jewish communities around the world. We cannot ignore either the scale of this trend, or the alarming speed with which it spreads - online and on our streets.

As our Prime Minister has made clear: an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on us all. Antisemitism is completely abhorrent and has no place in our society.

The United Kingdom is committed to working both domestically and with partners internationally to counter antisemitism in all its forms. Such acts of hatred must not be allowed to divide our communities.

We welcome High Commissioner Turk’s clear and principled stand against antisemitism; and urge all partners to work together to confront, and defeat, this pervasive hatred.

Thank you.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/un-human-rights-council-61-uk-statement-for-the-item-9-general-debate