Thank you all for having me this evening. It has been a real honour to meet with you all and hear first-hand about the extraordinary work being done day-in day-out by Emunah and British Emunah.
I'd like to thank and congratulate Hilary Pearlman for her tireless efforts to ensure that British Emunah has continued to go from strength to strength.
I know that a great deal of work and dedication goes into such impressive events as this, so I would also like to thank Michelle Hirschfield and Esther Lee for co-chairing such an impressive event for us all this evening.
Hilary and her team exemplify the values and very essence of the Jewish community in terms of education, commitment, philanthropy, and making sure that no child is left behind.
Now, I'll be honest with you, my Hebrew is a little rusty, but I know that 'Emunah' means faith or belief. It is this very faith and belief that has helped transform the lives of so many children.
I think it is entirely appropriate that the theme for this year’s Gala Dinner is ‘Believing in Israel’s Children’. Emunah's work helps so many children with an extraordinary record of supporting disadvantaged and ‘at risk’ children through your centres and services in Israel.
This work is currently improving the lives of more than 12,000 children across the Jewish state. The positive impact you are making on the lives of these children is something you should be very proud of.
Emunah offers vulnerable children a helping hand in times of darkness. It offers hope for a brighter future in uncertain times. It is for this very reason that a group of British women founded British Emunah in 1933 to provide help to children escaping Nazi persecution in Europe. Hope will always triumph.
At last year’s event, an incredible £250,000 was raised by British Emunah's generous patrons and I have no doubt that as a result of this evening, Emunah will be able to continue and even increase its work with the most vulnerable in Israeli society.
I understand that in December 2016, British Emunah is bringing a group of children from Emunah's Afula children’s home to London for a week’s holiday. I've no doubt that this will be an exciting occasion for everyone involved, including those generous families that are hosting the children - many of whom have never even left their hometown in northern Israel.
Memories and experiences like these tend to last a lifetime and without your generosity, projects like this simply wouldn't be possible.
Thank you all for this extremely important work.
I think it’s fair to say that the last few months have seen some seismic changes in this country.
A few short months ago, the British public voted to leave the European Union and we have welcomed a new Prime Minister.
We have entered into a new chapter in our great country's history.
The Government is determined to make a success of Brexit, seize the opportunities on the horizon and forge a new role for ourselves in the world.
The Prime Minister has been clear - the UK is open for business. Far from turning in on ourselves, we will be getting out into the world and doing business across the globe, while at home continuing our work of building a Britain that works for everyone.
We have set up a Department of International Trade so we can have the discussions with our global partners to lay the groundwork for free trade deals. I've no doubt that all these deals will bring us closer to the world and help us make a success of Brexit.
Throughout this period of political change, there has been a constant - the Government's commitment to the security of Israel and our unwavering determination to fight against the evils of anti-Semitism.
This is absolute and that is why my first opinion article as Home Secretary in the Jewish News ended with the following words
Let there be no doubt, I will not stand for anti-Semitism or any form of hatred.
Communities across Britain must come together and stand united against those who use hate to divide us.
Back in May 2012 I visited Israel for the first time with Conservative Friends of Israel.
In a short time, I learned a great amount about the threats Israel faces on a daily basis, an understanding which was truly deepened by visiting the country.
My visit was as uplifting as it was eye-opening, as we learnt about the newly established UK-Israel Tech Hub and the close collaboration between our two countries across many sectors , which has gone from strength to strength.
We tested Israel’s rigorous democracy at an insightful cross-party meeting with Israeli MKs, and spent a day in Ramallah to talk with Palestinian politicians and businessmen.
We then travelled to Sderot and visited the local police station, where a collection of rocket shrapnel is kept.
I still recall the chilling experience of looking at the remains of rockets that had been fired into the town.
Let me be clear - the UK will stand steadfastly alongside Israel.
When Israel is under attack we will support its right to self-defence. We will work with Israel and the Palestinians to help bring about the lasting and peaceful two-state solution that all peoples of the region desire and deserve and we will continue to strengthen our bilateral relationship with trade, cultural and scientific exchanges and security cooperation.
In the past few years, Europe's Jewish community has been the target of horrific attacks in Paris, Copenhagen, Brussels and Toulouse. These outrages horrified us all - but racist and religious hate crimes are also taking place within our shores.
The UK is not immune to the evil of anti-Semitism. I know that many in the Jewish community are feeling vulnerable and fearful.
I stand before you tonight to reassure you that this Government will never waiver in its determination to fight anti-Semitism.
Our Prime Minister Theresa May is a long-standing supporter of the Jewish community. As she said last year, "without its Jewish community, Britain would not be Britain”.
As Home Secretary for six years, our new Prime Minister has perhaps a better grasp of the challenge anti-Semitism poses to the Jewish community. She has stood resolutely beside the community. Just last year, she secured £13.4m in Government funding for security measures at Jewish schools, synagogues and communal sites.
According to the Community Security Trust, reports of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK rose by 11% in the first six months of 2016. The scale of antisemitic hate crime is unacceptable.
I know there is much work to be done.
I promise that I will continue to work with law enforcement partners and with the Jewish community to ensure your safety and security.
Anti-Semitism will be challenged without exemption wherever we find it.
In July, I published a Hate Crime Action Plan, setting out robust and comprehensive steps this Government is taking to prevent all forms of hate crime.
It contains measures to increase reporting of incidents and crimes, including working with communities and police to develop third party reporting centres.
It covers work to prevent hate crimes on public transport and sets out how stronger support will be provided for victims.
Hatred directed at any community, race or religion has no place whatsoever in our diverse society and must be kicked to the kerb.
Where crimes are committed we must make sure victims have the confidence to report incidents and that the law is rigorously enforced.
As an example - Having heard that members of the Haredi community are less likely to report hate crime, we are working with them to educate young people on what constitutes hate crime and how to report it.
We have also improved police recording of religious hate crime, while new Crown Prosecution Service guidance will encourage tougher sentences in religious and racial hate crime cases.
The Prime Minister has also pledged to continue former Prime Minister David Cameron's work to build a National Holocaust Memorial and a Learning Centre.
It is essential that we as a country preserve the legacy of the Holocaust and teach future generations where bigotry, hatred and persecution can take us, so it doesn’t happen again.
We are Great Britain because we are a proud, diverse society united by values such as democracy, free speech, mutual respect and opportunity for all. Hatred does not get a seat at the table, and we will do everything we can to stamp it out.
In conclusion may I thank you all for inviting me here. Please do permit me to once again congratulate you all on the wonderful work you do under the banner of Emunah.
And as we get closer to Rosh Hashana - your New Year - and as each of you prepare to examine your own commitment - to increase your levels of faith, belief - yes - Emunah - permit me to wish you and your families a Shana Tova - a happy, healthy and peaceful year ahead.
