British Jewish leaders condemn van attack on Muslim worshipers

The van ramming attack at a mosque in London is “a painful illustration of why we must never allow hatred to breed hatred,” Britain’s chief rabbi says.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis says his thoughts are with those affected by the early Monday morning attack on the Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, in which a van drove into a group of people standing in front of the mosque, leaving one person dead and injuring 10.

Horrific attack at #finsburypark a painful illustration of why we must never allow hatred to breed hatred. Thoughts with all those affected.

— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) June 19, 2017

The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemns the attack in a statement issued shortly after it occurred just after midnight on Monday morning.

“All good people must stand together and join in rejecting hatred and violence from wherever it comes. The way forward is to strengthen the moderate majority and repudiate and marginalize extremism of every type,” the statement says, adding: “Hatred of people because of their religion has no place in our society.”

Statement from @BoDPres Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush about last night's #FinsburyPark attack: pic.twitter.com/7v05DvLkL4

— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) June 19, 2017

— JTA