Faith minister decries ‘unfortunate’ exploitation of Israel-Palestine conflict in British politics

Faith minister Lord Khan has described the importation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into British politics as “unfortunate to see”, calling out the rise in antisemitism linked to Israel’s war against Hamas.

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with the JC – his first sit-down interview since taking office last summer – Khan also said it was a “privilege” to take part in the March of the Living last month, that he was proud to help with the Drumlanrig Accord aimed at Jewish-Muslim reconciliation, and that he thought Britain was “the greatest multi-ethnic country in the world”.

Asked about the election of five independent MPs on an explicitly pro-Gaza stance, Khan said that “the way people have … utilised the conflict and imported the conflict into British politics, that is unfortunate to see”.

On the rise in antisemitism following the October 7 terrorist attack, the 45-year-old Labour peer, a former mayor of Burnley, said that it was wrong that “some are using the events in the Middle East as an excuse to stir up hatred against British Jewish communities”.

“For me, that British Jews are not only safe, but also feel safe, is one our top priorities as a government … It is unacceptable that this could have ever happened,” he added.

Khan said that as faith minister he wanted to “to tackle antisemitism, to promote interfaith relationships, to increase our engagement with different faiths … but also to increase faith literacy and to tackle religious hate crime in all its forms”.

He said that the government wouldn’t “shy away” from “hard” action to tackle “hatred and discrimination” against Britain’s Jewish community.

Faith minister Lord Wajid Khan (centre), with Middle East minister Hamish Falconer (right), shown around the Manchester Jewish Museum by Marc Levy (left), Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester. (Image: Simon Walker / Deputy Prime Minister's Office)Simon Walker / Deputy Prime Minister's Office

The minister added that the government was taking action to address the Jewish community’s security concerns: “Our changes to the Crime and Policing Bill will better protect synagogues and our Jewish communities” and would provide “the police with new powers to protect places of worship”, he said.

Khan was keen to emphasise that he isn’t going to be a minister who sits behind a desk, but someone who is actively talking to those affected by the government’s decisions.

Since taking office he has held “117 faith engagements, and many of them have been with my Jewish brothers and sisters. From the Board of Deputies to CST – unfortunately, hearing about the rise in antisemitism – I’ve also working with the Jewish Leadership Council, as well as Antisemitism Policy Trust.”

“It’s really important for me to reset the relationship between not just the Jewish communities, but between government and all faiths,” he said.

Khan also praised Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, whom he said he had a “wonderful audience with very early on in my tenure”.

A source of pride for him has been his work in support of the Drumlanrig Accord, an agreement signed by the chief rabbi, leading imams and other senior rabbis – later presented to King Charles at Buckingham Palace – to commit to interfaith unity and dialogue amid rising tensions.

Senior Muslim and Jewish denominational leaders in the UK today signed a landmark agreement, The Drumlanrig Accord, which marks a defining moment in interfaith relations. Rooted in virtue and ethical principles, the Accord establishes a structured framework for sustained Muslim-Jewish collaboration, fostering deeper understanding and shared responsibility.PICTURE PARTNERSHIP

He said that interfaith engagement isn’t just warm words: “We have a strong focus on engagement, but we also have our values as a government … our zero tolerance [to] antisemitism approach is very important when we engage with all organisations, in particular, from different faiths.”

The minister said the government would not engage with groups that do not buy into the government’s values when it comes to interfaith and intercommunal engagement, which he described as “promoting unity, promoting peace, promoting shared collaboration, shared practices, which makes our country better”.

Speaking to the JC on VE Day, the former member of the European Parliament emphasised that he saw the fight against antisemitism as a never-ending one.

“We celebrate today, the momentous day that is defeating Nazism and fascism, we realise that antisemitism didn't stop then … It has no place in our society. That's why we're working hard to tackle it in all its forms.”

Khan said he was privileged to attend the March of the Living event last month, where Holocaust survivors and delegates from the UK visited Auschwitz and other sites of Nazi atrocities. He said he would ensure the government’s “continued commitment to Holocaust education and Holocaust remembrance, especially from the young generations, to meet the promise of Never Again”.

Lord Khan (red tie) on the March of the Living in Poland. (Image: supplied)[Missing Credit]

Describing the “shocking” rise in “misinformation, disinformation and Holocaust distortion”, Khan said he was working with Lord Pickles, the government’s outgoing Special Envoy for post-Holocaust Issues, Karen Pollock from the Holocaust Educational Trust, and Laura Marks from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to emphasise the importance of Holocaust education.

“It's our job to make sure we do much more on Holocaust education and Holocaust awareness, and that's why I was proud to see the prime minister announce the Holocaust will remain on the curriculum come what may.

“And for the first time, even for schools that don't actually follow the national curriculum, they'll have to teach the Holocaust when the new curriculum comes in. In addition, I'm proud to see the Department for Education provide £2 million in 2025/26 to ensure that we can do all we can to promote survivor testimony.”

Khan said he was optimistic about the future of multicultural Britain: “I'm proud that we are the greatest multi-ethnic country in the world. Our diversity is our strength and faith and all faith communities and play a huge part in that.

“And I want to thank the Jewish community for all what they do in in contributing to our country and to making it a great country.”