Clegg: 'I'd like to put CST out of business one day'
Nick Clegg will tonight heap praise on the Community Security Trust, while looking forward to the day when the organisation can be disbanded.
The deputy prime minister will tell the CST's Manchester dinner that it's "profoundly disturbing" that some wish to harm the community with vandalism and physical attacks. "Not everyone outside the community understands that it is normal for small children to be perfectly comfortable with men on walkie-talkies guarding their Hebrew classes. Or synagogues having CCTV, or major events involving airport style security," he will tell the gathering hours after visiting a Jewish school in the region.
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During his address, the Liberal Democrat leader will also say that he "never fails to be inspired by the Jewish community" from the "depth of your religious traditions" and "rich cultural heritage" to its contribution to life in this country. "Indeed the history of Jews in Britain is, itself, a history of some of the greatest figures in British arts, education, business and politics. And when you look at the Jewish community today it is difficult not to be impressedby your pride in being part of a community that generates so much warmth, kindness and generosity. Your charitable work. Your volunteer networks, people who work tirelessly towards the goal of tikkun olam."
And referring to the community's "phenomenal capacity to work in coalition: Orthodox, Reform, Liberal, Masorti", he joked: "I'd be grateful for any tips."
Clegg wasn't the only senior politician showing support for the CST this week. Mayor Boris Johnson, addressing 150 guests from the property and financial sectors at a lunch in London on Tuesday, thanked the organisation "for the work it is doing to fight hatred, prejudice and discrimination in this city. It's absolutely vital that Jewish people in London are able to live, work and go about their daily lives without fear. The CST does a wonderful job and I am very proud to be a supporter."
Meanwhile, on a visit to Israel, Chancellor George Osborne met his counterpart Dr Yuval Steinitz, along with the Governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fisher, to discuss future collaborations. While his delayed arrival in the country as a result of the eurozone crisis meant he was unable to attend the launch of the British Embassy's new hi-tech hub, he called for an increase of the "export of expertise and capital" from the Jewish state in a video message for last Thursday's event. He said: "Israel is an amazing place, but it's also an amazing economic achievement."
Following the conclusion of his official engagements, Osborne spent the weekend in the country with his family.
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