HIAS+JCORE today (11.08.2025) joined 213 organisations in signing an open letter to the UK’s political leaders condemning recent anti-refugee protests. The letter was coordinated by the Together with Refugees coalition, on whose Steering Group sits HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director David Mason.
Signatories include leading refugee sector organisations City of Sanctuary UK, Care for Calais, Refugee Action and Safe Passage. A number of NGOs and trade unions, including the End Violence Against Women Coalition and PCS Trade Union also backed the letter.
It opens by stating that “anti-refugee protests across the country have been distressing to witness, with echoes of last summer’s riots making them all the more alarming.”
The letter goes on to say: “The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate.”
Finally, it concludes: “For those who need our compassion to be confronted with further torment here in the UK is shocking. But the outpouring of support from communities condemning the hatred is a powerful reminder that these views do not represent the vast majority. Today we stand in solidarity with those targeted, because this is what represents our country, this is who we are.”
The letter follows a weekend which saw both a number of anti-refugee protests across the UK, but crucially also Together With Refugees’ ‘Welcome Weekend’ – a national moment uniting communities through events and activities welcoming refugees.
David Mason, HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director, said: “It’s not so long since Jewish refugees sought the UK’s protection. Many were welcomed – but others faced bitter opposition. The appalling violence we saw last summer echoed some of the worst of that hostility.
So it’s painful to see further anti-refugee protests against people needing that same sanctuary. But these concerning scenes didn’t arise in a vacuum. For too long, politicians and parts of the media have fuelled hate and division. And we must be clear: our Government has failed to show the brave leadership needed to reject that path, and to forge cohesion.
In this moment, we need our political leaders to step up, cool the temperature, and begin building a legacy of compassion and welcome that future generations can be proud of.”
Full letter text:
Dear Party Leaders
Anti-refugee protests across the country have been distressing to witness, with echoes of last summer’s riots making them all the more alarming.
Many of the people targeted have already suffered unimaginably, having fled for their lives from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria. Now, due to unacceptable delays and a broken system, they are housed in hotels, a collective target of hostility, banned from working, with limited control over their lives or futures. Believing they will at last be safe and protected, they are then faced with further persecution and fear.
It is clear that major action is needed. It is time for you, our leaders, to take a strong and united stand. The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate.
For those who need our compassion to be confronted with further torment here in the UK is shocking. But the outpouring of support from communities condemning the hatred is a powerful reminder that these views do not represent the vast majority. Today we stand in solidarity with those targeted, because this is what represents our country, this is who we are.
