Boris Johnson admits possible Jewish ‘exodus’ from Nthn Ireland over Brexit

UK Chief Rabbi and Board of Jewish Deputies in urgent meeting with government over kosher food shortages in region

PRIME MINISTER BORIS Johnson has spoken of an “exodus” of Jews from Northern Ireland if problems with the post-Brexit arrangements for the region continue to lead to shortages of kosher supplies.

The government’s Brexit deal included a section called the Northern Ireland Protocol, under which goods – and especially food products - moving between the region and England, Scotland or Wales would be checked at ports to make sure they comply with EU rules.

For now, some kosher food continues to flow to the community - but under interim arrangements that expire at the end of September.

Jewish groups on both sides of the Irish Sea fear that if kosher food and religious artefacts cannot be supplied at all when the Northern Ireland Protocol is fully implemented, its community of around 100 people is likely to collapse

The Prime Minister’s comments followed a meeting on Tuesday between Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Reverend David Kale and Michael Black of the Belfast Jewish Community and President of the Board of Deputies Marie van der Zyl.

At the meeting, the government was warned that the Northern Ireland Protocol was putting Jewish life in the region in jeopardy.

FULL STORY Prime Minister admits possible Jewish ‘exodus’ from Northern Ireland over Brexit deal (Jewish Chronicle)

Photo: Marie van der Zyl, from the UK Board of Jewish Deputies, and Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis