Sunday, April 26, 2026

If ...

Allison Pearson.

If the fire-bombed synagogues had been mosques, the Government would respond very differently.

As attacks escalate, those in power offer platitudes instead of protection. The failure to confront anti-Semitism is shameful.

Allison PearsonAllison Pearson

Award-winning journalist Allison Pearson is a columnist and the chief interviewer of The Telegraph.

Published 22 April 2026 12:31pm GMT+01:00
Finchley Reform Synagogue
In the wake of the attempted arson attack at the Finchley Reform Synagogue last week, Britain is undeniably failing to protect its Jewish communities Credit: Lee Thomas

I was at a friend’s birthday party the other evening when a woman around my age came over and introduced herself. Instead of shaking my hand, the stranger, who knew about my support for Jews and British Friends of Israel, hugged me and when she pulled away I saw that her eyes were full of tears. “I was born here,” she said, “and I’ve always thought of myself as British first and then Jewish. But now I know I’m Jewish first.”

This is a painful realisation for so many Jews in our country who have never before had to worry about their ethnicity or religion. Our oldest, flawlessly-integrated minority is suffering amidst a truly shocking epidemic of anti-Semitism. Correction. I am no longer using that word. Call it what it is. This is racism of the most hateful and monstrous kind, raising spectres of the murderous past. In the aftermath of the October 7 massacres, criticism of Israel’s response to the rape, murder and kidnapping of its men, women and children by marauding barbarians has morphed into an escalating campaign against Jews here.

The attempted firebombing of Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London on Saturday was just the latest in a heinous wave of arson attacks. Last month, masked men set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green. Life-saving vehicles that helped the whole neighbourhood for goodness sake – and there was abundant goodness in that caring community. Four people were subsequently charged by police.

Last week, a synagogue and the former premises of a Jewish charity, both in north London, were attacked. Two people have been arrested in connection with an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue. On the same day, a Persian-language media organisation opposed to the Iranian regime was also attacked. Three people have been charged with “arson with intent to endanger life”. Unsurprisingly, the evil Islamic Republic, with its stated aim of annihilating Israel and the Jews (before coming for the rest of us), has been implicated in the attacks.

All this while British Jews are still reeling from an assault on a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur in which two men were killed as a result of action by a terrorist called Jihad al-Shamie. When he carried out the lethal attack, Jihad (clue: it means Holy War) was out on bail after being arrested on a rape charge. In Two-Tier Keir’s Britain, Islamist rapists are allowed to wander around freely and murder Jews while a Northampton childminder and bereaved mother who posts one furious, swiftly-deleted tweet about illegal migrants is remanded in custody and jailed for 31 months. The introduction by our craven Government of an “anti-Muslim hostility” definition is set to make protesting about this kind of double standard even harder.Jews I speak to are upset, frightened, angry, bewildered. Not here, surely this can’t be happening here, not in the land the late great Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks called “the kind country”? One in five British Jews tells pollsters they are planning on leaving the UK in the next five years. I know a middle-aged couple who left for Israel recently saying that a new government which took a hard line on mass immigration and integration might improve matters, but it was too far away and too risky to wait.Thankfully, many are still defiant and know that this is their home. Michael Wegier, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, says the community is feeling “anxious but resilient”. “I’m hearing people who are nervous about sending their kids to Jewish schools or coming to synagogue, but one also hears exactly the opposite,” he said. “There are people who are saying, ‘We won’t be cowed, we’ve been here since the mid-17th century and we’re not going anywhere.’
I’d like to think that was true. But how can they feel safe when every other day brings some fresh report of Jewish students threatened by pro-Palestinian protesters on campus or disgusting graffiti sprayed on kosher restaurants? A football match involving Israel in the West Midlands was disgracefully called off after police caved in to “community tensions” (ie anti-Jewish bigotry). There have even been sickening examples of NHS staff posting pro-Hamas sentiments.The response of the Government and the authorities in general has been pitiful. After the Kenton synagogue attack, London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, parroted the usual “they will not divide us” platitudes. As writer and comedian David Baddiel posted on X: “Confused as to why politicians say, on another attempted arson attack on a Jewish building, ‘These terrorists are trying to divide us – and will not succeed etc’ Are they? I’d say that divisiveness is not the object. I’d say it’s trying to kill Jews.”Such bluntness is as refreshing as it is rare. There is a reason why anti-Semitism is the hatred the authorities dare not name. It undermines their narrative that “diversity is our strength” when, as Jews are discovering to their cost, too much diversity of the wrong kind can be devastating. After attacks that everyone assumes were carried out by radicalised Muslims, leaders like Khan do everything they can to obfuscate, conveniently placing the blame on free-floating “hate”. As if the British people in general somehow share the blame for a problem posed by Islamist fanatics.The other strategy is to immediately segue from an attack on a synagogue to concerns about repercussions for Muslims, which haven’t happened. “Islamophobia” is their first resort. The broadcaster Mehdi Hasan once said that anti-Semitism in the Muslim community is “our dirty little secret”. Not something you will ever hear from the mouth of Sadiq Khan.

Imagine the furore if the recent spate of attacks on synagogues had been against mosques. Starmer would have called out the Army. Jews are just told to be vigilant and are thrown a lump of money to beef up security. One primary school I saw looked like Alcatraz. Heartbreaking. DT.

at

Birdie.


 

at

Do You Remember How You Voted When We Were Asked If We Wanted A Multicultural Experiment? - No! - ME NEITHER!

 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a reception marking St George&#03

PM paradoxically used patron saint to insist “unity” is key while ranting about Englishmen he feels betray the multicultural project.


Oliver JJ Lane.
at

Quite So!


 

at

Whaddya Know?

Mohammed Suleman admitted that Fenham Properties Ltd, a company he directs and co-owns, burnt large amounts of wood in a skip that had been converted into a 'makeshift incinerator'.
at

Persecution!

 

Street preacher case is a 'shocking' attack on freedom of religion and speech.

Pastor Clive Johnston (Photo: The Christian Institute)

As Pastor Clive Johnston’s trial resumes, The Christian Institute has warned that the prosecution of a man for preaching the gospel represents a “shocking” attack on freedom of speech and religion.

Johnston was cautioned and later prosecuted for delivering an open air sermon on a Sunday in 2024.

The sermon took place by the road side and was technically within an abortion clinic buffer zone. However, the sermon made no mention of abortion and was centred on John 3:16, which states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Johnston is accused of intentionally influencing a protected person, or being reckless as to whether his actions had that effect and could face a fine and a criminal record, if convicted. He is being supported in his case by The Christian Institute.

Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute, said, “Should a law designed to stop abortion protests be used to criminalise gospel preaching? John 3:16 is a wonderful, famous verse and everyone knows it says nothing about abortion. 

“We have amazing freedom in this country to share the Christian message. That’s why we’ve taken on this case. Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open air gospel services are a part of the culture.” 

He added, “Christians are pro-life. But preaching the good news about Christ is not the same thing as protesting against abortion. The police and the Public Prosecution Service are overstepping the mark.” 

The US has expressed an interest in the case, with the state department saying it is “monitoring” the situation along with other similar cases, such as those prosecuted for silently praying within abortion buffer zones.

In a statement the state department said, “The United States is still monitoring many “buffer zone” cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship across Europe. The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US-UK relations.” 

Commenting on Pastor Johnston's case, former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said, "It is extraordinary that in a Christian country the police think it is an offence to preach the word of God outside a hospital."

CT.

at

Pupil Phones in Schools.

 I was wrong about the danger of smartphones in schools. It’s far, far worse than I thought | Lola Okolosie.

at

2 Peter 3.

 10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

at

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Colchester Council - SHAME ON YOU!

 Council accused of 'unprecedented' use of powers to silence gospel preaching.

Stephen Clayden, Bread of Life Community Church, street preacherThe church's pastor, Stephen Clayden, street preaching. (Photo: Facebook)

Christian Concern has suggested that a local council has made an “unprecedented use of public-order powers” to silence the preaching of the gospel in Colchester city centre.

Local officials are alleged to have asked that church evangelists turn down the volume of their amplification but later made objections surrounding the content of the message being proclaimed by members of Bread of Life Community Church. 

The church, based in Clacton-on-Sea, has engaged in its evangelistic outreach ministry for some time without any formal complaints being registered.

Although the current Public Space Protection Order contains no ban on amplified sound, street wardens allegedly asked church members to stop or reduce their amplification. In November a non-legally binding Community Protection Warning was issued, followed by the threat of fines.

A legally binding Community Protection Notice (CPN) soon followed. Such a move is “unprecedented”, Christian Concern argues, because it covers the whole church and its membership, rather than individual preachers.

The CPN not only takes issue with the volume of the preaching, but with the content of the message being preached. References to hell are said to cause “harassment, alarm and distress".

The preaching is also described as “unreasonable” and as having a “detrimental effect on the community”.

Bread of Life Community Church is challenging the CPN and is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre. Colchester Magistrates’ Court will be hearing the case on 1 May.

Church pastor, Stephen Clayden, said, “We have preached the Bible lawfully and peacefully in Colchester for six years. We have harmed no one.

"We will not be intimidated into abandoning the Great Commission. We respect the law. But we cannot and will not stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. No council has the authority to silence the Church.”

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, described the case as “deeply alarming”.

“Public‑order powers designed to address genuine anti‑social behaviour are now being used to clamp down on Christian preaching," she said.

"Today it is amplification; tomorrow it is the content of the message itself. We are seeing a slippery slope from managing noise to policing theology.”

She added, “Preaching and public witness are central to the Christian faith and protected by law. If a church can be criminalised simply for proclaiming the gospel, then freedom of religion and speech in the UK are in serious jeopardy."

A spokesperson for Colchester Council said, "As the matter is subject to ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the council to comment further at this stage."

CT.
at

Birdie.


 

at

Justice Prevails in Malta.

Christian man prosecuted over ex-gay testimony urges Europe's Christians to take a bold stand for truth.

Matthew Grech, 4th March 2026A jubilant Matthew Grech outside the court in Malta after he won his case. (Photo: Instagram/Matthew Grech)

A Christian man in Malta who was repeatedly dragged into court over three years for giving his testimony about leaving the homosexual lifestyle urged his fellow Christians to stand boldly for Jesus Christ amid rising cultural hostility.

Matthew Grech, 36, told The Christian Post in a recent interview that he believes the Lord was with him throughout his legal ordeal, which drew international attention and ultimately led to his acquittal last month.



Grech first fell afoul of Malta's ban on so-called "conversion therapy" in 2022, when he was slapped with criminal charges for allegedly discussing and promoting conversion practices in violation of Article 3 of Malta's Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act.


The charges stemmed from an interview he gave that April with PMnews Malta, an independent outlet that invited him on to discuss his views on conversion therapy bans.

In 2016, Malta became the first European nation to criminalize practices endeavoring to "change, repress or eliminate a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression," and similar legislation has since proliferated throughout the Western world.

Shortly after offering his personal testimony to PMNews Malta, police showed up at Grech's home on a Sunday to serve him with a prosecution order summoning him to court. He appeared in court 17 times over the charges, which carried €5,000 (more than $5,700) in fines or up to five months in prison.

Grech told CP that while his journey of repentance has cost him and not been easy, it has brought spiritual freedom.

Grech said he never fell into a "hardcore" homosexual lifestyle and was more interested in "a loving and faithful relationship," but he became spiritually convicted when he became a Christian that even his desire for meaningful sexual partnership with another man was against God's design.

"I had an encounter with Jesus when I was 19 years old, and He took center stage in my life, and the Word of God took center stage," he said. "I discovered Paul's verses about homosexuality, and I was convicted, and I prayed and I asked God, because it was very personal."


Grech said he came to understand God's love for him, and that it was out of love that God prohibits sexual immorality and demands repentance. Since leaving homosexuality behind, he said he has been able to develop a healthier understanding of his masculine identity.

"God helped me understand that He loves me but hates my sin, because it does bring a perversion to His sacred design for humanity. So I repented. I stopped the relationship that I was in. I was with a partner for just over a year-and-a-half.

"It was so amazing to feel free to discover my manhood, my masculinity; God's purpose for my life," he said. "It hasn't been an easy journey navigating same-sex feelings and understanding the depth of that, the roots of that I think mainstream culture hides from us."

"But it's been the best journey to be the man that I always wanted to be," he continued, adding that the Word of God has given him hope, joy and peace that he would not otherwise have.

Grech said the Maltese government has been working with gay rights activists in the country to silence the testimonies of Christians who repent of homosexuality, which he suggested is the end goal of conversion therapy ban legislation, even if its proponents claim otherwise.

After leaving the lifestyle, Grech became involved with the U.K.-based International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice (IFTCC), a nonprofit organization that aims "to promote a caring, nonjudgmental environment where people who choose to move away from their unwanted feelings and behaviors can find the support they're seeking," according to its website.

Grech, who noted his previous public interviews about his personal choices never led to prosecution, speculated that his interview with PMNews Malta was targeted because he mentioned IFTCC.

"What I did differently this time was that I mentioned an organization that apparently was a threat to them and their false, unscientific ideology, and so they organized themselves," he said of the activists who reported him to the police.

PMNews Malta, whose journalists were also charged for their role in conducting the interview, discovered that the police complaint against Grech was filed by Silvan Agius, an LGBT activist from Malta who helped draft the conversion therapy ban legislation; Christian Attard, a founding member of the Malta LGTBIQ Rights Movement; and Cynthia Chircop, who co-chaired the organization.

Grech said the potential five months of prison time he faced for a conversation was "ridiculous" and indicates a worrying trend for the freedom of speech in the West. Despite his legal victory, he said the chilling effect of his case has been successful.

"I used to be invited on TV every month ... sometimes more than once a month in Malta," he said. "And ever since this court case came about, I've been completely silenced. Nobody interviews me anymore around the subject."

"I probably think that TV hosts have orders from the top to not mention the other side of the story, and so this law has been really used to monopolize the culture and conversation around sexuality and gender."

Grech said such a development is "very sad," and that his generation deserves to have robust and open debate about such important topics. He expressed optimism that the tide seems to be turning in the United States, where the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned a Colorado state law banning therapy for minors that does not endorse homosexuality and transgenderism.

"I admire Christians who are standing up in the U.S., and I want that to happen in Europe and in Malta, as well," he said.

Regarding what he would say to Christians who might feel crippled by fear amid growing cultural animosity toward Christian faith and morality in the Western world, Grech urged them to remember the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

"Jesus said, 'Rejoice when you are persecuted for the Kingdom of Heaven, because great is your reward.' You wouldn't be afraid of something that brings you joy. So when we have a revelation as Christians, we should dive straight into preaching the Gospel and sharing our testimonies and trust in the Lord in the process," he said.

While his three-year legal battle felt at times like a punishment, Grech said he remains thankful for it because God used it for His glory. He exhorted Christians to resist sin and the devil while taking courage in the Lord's faithfulness, even if they are called to suffer for His sake.

"I didn't endure this as a criminal," he said. "I endured this as a Bible-believing Christian. So, let us rejoice together and let us not submit to Jezebel. Jezebel is a loser. The devil is a loser. We love Jesus and we hate the devil. We're here to destroy the works of the devil."

"And so, we can't allow fear to take hold, because the Lord will be with us. Just as God told Paul, 'I have many people in this city, so do not be afraid.' And I want to tell you, wherever you are in the world watching right now, there are many people in your city that are meant to come to the Kingdom."

"So therefore, be bold, because if we are ashamed of the words of Jesus, if we are ashamed of His testimony, Jesus will be ashamed of us at His appearing. So we can do this, let's come together," he added.

© The Christian Post

at
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)

If ...

Allison Pearson . If the fire-bombed synagogues had been mosques, the Government would respond very differently. As attacks escalate, those ...