Although the Queen delivers the Speech, the content is written by the government and approved by the Cabinet. It sets out the government’s policies and the proposed legislative program for the new Parliamentary session.This is why the speech is significant - as it outlines policy intentions of incumbent prime minister, in this case Boris Johnson.Boris Johnson used the Queen’s speech to refocus attention away from Brexit and on to the NHS.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, chief secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak said: “The heart of this Queen’s speech today will be our record funding settlement for the NHS: £34bn over the next five years.”For the Jewish community in the UK though, the speech was significant as it referred to the action the government will take with organizations which adopt boycotts, divestments and sanctions against foreign countries.The speech read," government action will prevent divisive behavior that undermines community cohesion. There are concerns that such boycotts have legitimized antisemitism, such as Jewish films being censored and Jewish university societies being threatened."The Royal family has recently come out in public support of the Jewish community - Prince Charles made a speech at Buckingham Palace's pre-Hanukkah reception:"It is a great delight to welcome you this evening to Buckingham Palace, as the festival of Hanukkah approaches, and to celebrate with you the contribution of our Jewish community to the health, wealth and happiness of the United Kingdom."In every walk of life, in every field of endeavor, our nation could have had no more generous citizens, and no more faithful friends. That is why I am so glad to have this opportunity to say thank you, albeit in a small way, for all that you do, and have done, across the country, in major national and international institutions, and in local communities the length and breadth of the land."The prince went on to say how he sees the UK as "a community of communities."On Wednesday, December 19, the official residence of Prince Charles, announced that he has scheduled to visit Israel on behalf of the British government for the first time, Clarence House, for the World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem, at the invitation of President Reuven Rivlin, on January 23, 2020.Queen's speech addresses antisemitism
For the Jewish community, the speech was significant as it referred to the action the government will take with organizations adopting boycotts, divestments and sanctions against foreign countries.
