Ludford attends London Jewish Forum launch

9.35.51am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Dec 2006

London's Liberal Democrat MEP and peer Baroness Sarah Ludford, a member of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, will today attend the launch of the London Jewish Forum.

The London Jewish Forum has been established to provide a platform for Jewish people in the capital to engage with the city's authorities and elected representatives and play a full part in London's civic life. The Forum will work with all parts of the Jewish community regardless of religious; cultural or political affiliations or beliefs, to fight against anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of discrimination.

Baroness Ludford commented:

"I'm delighted to participate in the launch of the London Jewish Forum. This is an important initiative to improve engagement and dialogue with London authorities, to take up issues of concern but also to emphasise the strong and vibrant Jewish contribution to our great city."

"I am deeply concerned by the rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence across Europe - including sadly in the UK - and fully support the Forum's determination that this must be confronted and tackled along with other forms of prejudice and racism."

Sarah Ludford, vice-chair of the European Parliament's crossparty 'Anti Racism and Diversity intergroup', has repeatedly called on EU ministers to agree legal measures to combat religious, race and homophobic hate crime Europe-wide, on which progress has stalled.