Anti-Semitism calls for vigorous refutation as well as prosecution

2.43.00pm GMT Mon 16th Feb 2009

Attending the major London Conference on Anti-Semitism, London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford, the party's European justice & human rights spokeswoman said:

"I share the deep concern at the rise in anti-Semitic incidents, attacks and incitement. The criminal law has a strong role to play in outlawing hate crime and catching perpetrators. I particularly deplore criticism of Israel over Gaza becoming a pretext for sheer anti-Semitism."

"We need European and international cooperation to harmonise laws and definitions, train police, prosecutors and judges, and secure convictions, including in regard to internet hate."

"But we must not let criminal processes or bans - such as those regarding Holocaust denier Frederick Toben last autumn or Islamophobic Dutch MP Geert Wilders last week - be a substitute for or distraction from community and political leadership in vigorously combating the unacceptable views being expressed. We must all pitch in and show how wrong these purveyors of hate are."