border to continue to make the case for funding a wall. he said he's prepared to use emergency powers to get the wall built if necessary. the democrats are refusing to agree to fund the wall. the impasse has led to a partial government shutdown which is now in its 20th day. japan's prime minister has said that his country offers its "total support" to theresa may's eu withdrawal agreement. shinzo abe said that the "whole world" was hoping that the uk would not crash out of the european union without a deal. and this video is trending on bbc.com. the duchess of sussex, meghan markle, has named four charities she'll be supporting as patron. one of them is smart works, which helps vulnerable women find jobs and provides them with interview outfits. its founder described her as a natural coach. that's all. stay with bbc world news. now on bbc news it's hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur.

there is plenty of disturbing data pointing to a significant rise in overt anti—semitism in europe and the united states, why? how should the jewish community respond? and how much reassurance and protection is being offered tojews whose past has so often been written in blood? well, my guest is pinchas goldschmidt, chief rabbi of moscow, and president of the conference of european rabbis. is rising anti—semitism a symptom of a liberal democratic order that is starting to crumble? rabbi pinchas goldschmidt, welcome to hardtalk.

thank you. there is a lot of evidence from surveys in opinion polls across europe suggesting thatjews feel much more insecure than they did 10—20 years ago. why? attacks against the jewish community come from different places. there's the attack from islamic radicals, islamic terrorism, as we have seen it in toulouse and paris and copenhagen, and brussels. and we also have attacks against religious practice, of jewish religious practice in the european parliaments, outlawing practices to circumcision and preparing kosher meat and also the far left is, with the far right, is getting stronger in many places in europe, and anti—semitism

is back in vogue. anti—semitism is back in vogue, you say. the european union has its own survey of fundamental rights and an agency devoted to that. and they say anti—semitism has become disturbingly normalised. so do you see governments across europe responding to that reality? governments are trying to respond to those different threats. we have seen, initially, governments providing, especially in western europe, providing for additional security forjewish institutions. we have seen, also, some preventative measures against people

who might become terrorists and attacking jewish communities. on the other hand, we have seen much less action when it talks about the civil liberties and religious liberties of the jewish community. see, i asked you about actions and your level of satisfaction with those actions, because you've said some things which suggest a deep dissatisfaction. you've referred to the numbers ofjews in europe declining. i think you and others have suggested there's roughly a 15% decline in europe's overalljewish population, and clearly that is tied to a significant number ofjews choosing to leave and you have said this "governments must take on the responsibility properly protecting jewish citizens and until that happens thejewish community will remain unprotected". so are you saying thatjews across the continent of europe feel dangerously exposed and unprotected? in some countries there's been a discussion between the local jewish community and the government, who should pay for protection? in certain communities the cost of protecting a jewish state school,

a kindergarten, a synagogue, sometimes goes more than 50% of the annual budget of the community. and the community comes and tells the government, help us, and the government tells the community, you are rich enough to take care of your own security needs. but maybe schools and churches and synagogues can protect themselves against theft, but terrorism, it is the government's wealth to protect the citizen against terrorism. so you're one of the leading rabbis in the sort of faith leadership of thejewish community in europe. when jewish families, jewish people come to you and say, " rabbi, i feel very troubled. i do not feel safe in my community," whether it be in your home country of russia or in today's hungary or germany or france or the united kingdom, when people, jews say this to you, "i no longer feel safe,

i am considering leaving," do you encourage them? i think that, in general, the people who are leaving, and we are talking the official numbers in european union are down from 2 million to 1.6 million jews in europe, they usually make up their mind on their own. they come to the rabbi only after that. so i think at the end of the day, to emigrate, and where to emigrate to, is the decision of every family and every individual. coming back to the big picture and the trend, you have been very outspoken about the degree to which you see echoes in current europe, echoes with a very dark past. you said recently, "we're going back to the past. we're going back to a 1914 era in europe. i don't think we can exclude the possibility of total dictatorships, where the situation ofjewish communities is going to become similar to those times when there were no democratic governments."

are you serious about that? is europe so fragile? i think the post—world war ii order was put into question and we're going through a lot of turbulence and i think that brexit is one of the symptoms of the problems europe is going through. and there are quite a few political parties on the european continent whose political agenda is to leave the european union. yeah, but hang on, when we are having a conversation about anti—semitism and then you choose to alight on politics and you make reference to a particular phenomenon in the united kingdom we know as brexit, surely you're making a very dangerous and unwarranted association between a political movement, which is, you know, is driven to a certain extent

by a form of nationalism, and then, at the other end of your spectrum, anti—semitism. and you clearly associate those two things or is that not extremely dangerous in its own way? nationalism does not always bring with it anti—semitism. but nationalism can be a positive force and is has been a positive force in many political systems. however, once it's unchecked and once, ah... what is a liberal democracy? liberal democracy means that there is a minority my country who i totally disagree with, but they can live as they want, according to the faith they would like to live with. so if the premise of a liberal democracy is put into question, so also the welfare of those minorities and religious groups also put into question. so are you an agreement with the son of george soros, the financier, obviously jewish financier, who made enormous amounts of money in the financial markets

in the united states, who has become something of a hate figure for particular nationalists in europe, and i'm thinking, for example, of hungarian nationalists and, of course, the most visible example of that would be prime minister viktor orban, his son, mr soros‘s son, alexander soros, said this recently, he said, "something fundamental changed in 2016 across the world," and he associated it with donald trump as well, he said, "mr trump aired a final tv ad featuring my father, george soros, janet yellen," ah, head of the federal reserve at the time, "lloyd blankfein, chairman of goldman sachs," all of them, pointed soros jr, were jewish. "it was dog whistle language about special interests and global special interests. a genie was let out of the bottle." so when you talk about your dark

era, going back to 1914, do you see donald trump, the european nationalist movement, all of this of a piece, all of it a fundamental threat to the jews? i don't want to get involved too much in political discourse between right and left and if donald trump is a part of the phenomena or the cause, stop but if we are talking about hungary, for example, we know that the european union, for example, has many problems with hungary, is taking hungary to court. we know that the jewish community in hungary has trouble with its government. we know that the jewish community is quite unhappy with this new holocaust museum created by the government. so we have a certain problem that in quite a few countries, they are rewriting a revisionist history of the holocaust and this is against the local community. it's all about connections though. because, again, i'm mindful, when that horrible, absolutely disgusting attack onjewish

worshippers at the synagogue in pittsburgh in the united states happened, there were people who made links with donald trump's words on race and migration, donald trump's particular words after that charlottesville clash between neofascists and antifascist protesters when he said "there were good people on both sides". are you somebody, ‘cause you're a very influential rabbi, are you somebody who worries that this problem does go to the very top in some of the most important countries in the world and that you feel political leaders have to be held to account? i think that the political discourse in europe, as well as in washington, has become much more divisive and, again, to accuse a certain political figure of being conducive to this, i would even go back to, i think it's the internet which changed the political discourse in the world. there's much unchecked and unedited content, which is being used and has also been used to get people to start terrorist attacks against the jewish community in europe. and i think that this new world, which has been created by the internet, and this turbulence it has also created this new divisiveness in the united states as well. interesting you talk about the internet and the degree

to which it can facilitate the spread of hate and anti—semitism. i notice the french government is spending millions of dollars now on a specific online—based campaign to combat hate speech and anti—semitism. the german government has appointed an anti—semitism tsar, he's been called mr klein, franz klein. felix. felix klein! forgive me. do you believe that these sorts of actions are going to make a difference? the answer is yes. i think that the internet is under regulated. i think the french laws which have dealt with that, punishing those who use the internet to call on violence and anti—semitism, that's the right way to go. katharina von schnurbein, the co—ordinator against anti—semitism of the european union, together with felix klein and others, are on the right track. not enough is being done. and, by the way, the conference of european rabbis we're having a special side session at the next world economic forum in davos in a few weeks, where we're going to talk about the regulation of hate speech in the internet. so we're talking about hate speech and the internet. we've referred to the isolated acts of terrible violence that there have been in europe and,

as we've just discussed, in the united states as well. but you conflate some of that, if i may say so, with some things that are very different. you — at the conference of european rabbis — have made a point of really hammering belgium and the flanders region in particularfor their laws outlawing the slaughter of animals in kosherfashion. that is the animal is clearly alive and fully conscious when it is bled to death, it's slaughtered. you say that the acts to outlaw that kind of animal killing are a form of anti—semitism. now, to most people in europe there's nothing to do with anti—semitism — it's simply about animal cruelty and preventing it. it is politically correct anti—semitism. let's take a look at the history of this law. the first country where this law was passed was switzerland. i'm swiss born, and in 1895 switzerland wanted to stop russian jews to emigrate to switzerland.

it was an anti—emigration measure. let's go forward. 1933, hitler comes to power in germany. one of the first anti—jewish laws passed in germany is this anti—shechita law. why? he wanted jews to leave germany. but times change. are you suggesting to me, and it's notjust belgium, but a host of countries that have outlawed this cut—form of animal slaughter, which, remember, isn'tjust threatening kosher slaughter, but halal slaughter as well, are you suggesting that the people behind these bans are driven by anti—semitism, today, in the 21st century in europe? these laws have much more to do with two—legged animals than four—legged animals. it has to do much more with immigration and emigration than any animals. so you see malign intent in people who claim to be acting in the interests of protecting animals from cruelty? geert wilders in 2012,

at the head of the far—right party in holland, says, "we have to stop islam." that's also, marine le pen used this in her presidential campaign. it is openly said. let's talk about circumcision for a while. jews have been living in europe for thousands of years, for a thousand years, jews have not been attacked because of circumcision. why? because there were fewjews. how manyjews do we have in europe today? less than two million. how many muslims do you have today in europe? more than a0 million. they're much more visible. it is against them, wejews are the collateral damage. interesting that you put it in the historical context. throughout the interview, i have felt from you a consciousness notjust of the present but of the past in europe and what has happened tojews in the past. interesting that the former chief rabbi in britain, jonathan sacks, he said, you know, "in the middle ages, jews were persecuted because of their religion.

in the 19th and 20th centuries, they were reviled because of their race. and today, in the 21st—century, jews are attacked because of the existence of their nationstate, israel." do you feel that israel has now become front and centre in ways in which people who have anti—semitic intent are now using the israel issue to get at the jewish people? not everyone who criticises israel is an anti—semite. however, if you go and you delegitimise israel, let's say another form of pds. that is the divestments. the boycott divestment movement, and you say that every people in the world have a right for a nationstate besides thejews, so that's also another form of political anti—semitism, which. .. is it? it's anti—israel and its government and its policies in occupied territory, but is it anti—semitism? i think that... legitimate criticism of israel you can find in thejewish community as well, but there is a red line, which, when it is passed, i think that it is another form of anti—semitism.

when you observe in britain the fallout between the jewish community and the leader of the main opposition party in the united kingdom, jeremy corbyn, leader of the labour party, with clear, overt allegations from the jewish establishment thatjeremy corbyn has aided and abetted anti—semitism, do you worry about the degree to which there is now this gulf between one of the main political parties and thejewish community in britain? i think that a jewish community anywhere in europe, also elsewhere, when it can vote for both main parties, and on the right, and on the left, and if one of the parties comes to power and can continue to live its life in a normal fashion, that's a way for thejewish community to live in a secure fashion. if thejewish community knows that if they are going to vote for one candidate, thejewish community can continue to flourish, but if they vote for another party,

another party is going to come to power, this means great problems or maybe an end to thejewish history of this country, that's when the problem starts. well, only if you are suggesting to me thatjeremy corbyn‘s labour party is an existential threat to thejewish community in britain. are you seriously saying that? i think that the british jewish community is the best to answer this question. however, i've seen the turbulence. i mean, let us remember that, despite all the allegations aboutjeremy corbyn and his actions in the past, and his words in the past, jeremy corbyn insists that throughout his political career he has been a fighter against, an enemy of, all forms of racism, including, he always says, anti—semitism.

that's maybe what he says, but i've seen the reaction of the jewish establishment here, i've seen what the lord rabbi jonathan sacks has said, that's a person who is very careful we in europe have to accept the opinion of thejewish community. see, some observers of this debate, and this argument, and this rift that has developed see a fundamental hypocrisy amongst many jewish people, because while they castigate jeremy corbyn for some of his associations in the past, some of his words in the past, they look across the water to israel, to the leader of israel, prime minister benjamin netanyahu, who just recently hosted for five days of warmth and friendship prime minister viktor orban of hungary, who has long associations with far—right elements including anti—semitic elements in hungary, also they see benjamin netanyahu making a point ofjourneying all the way to brazil to declare his friendship light and partnership with the new president of brazil, mr bolsonaro, who has a record, a long record of making statements which are deeply troubling in terms of attitudes towards minorities,

to gay people, to women. where's the consistency here? i would like to say, first of all that british jews are british citizens. when they vote for the president, for the prime minister of a member of parliament, the vote here in great britain, they don't vote in israel. now, the israeli prime minister... but nobody is accusing benjamin netanyahu of anti—semitism because he develops a very warm friendship with viktor orban, who manyjews regard as deeply dangerous to the future ofjewish communities in europe. so, what i was about to say is that neta nyahu was elected by the israelis to take care of israel. israel's government's first object

is to make sure that an israeli child can walk to kindergarten in ber sheba without rockets exploding over his head. we, and the conference of european rabbis, we in europe, we are the custodians of thejewish past and also the jewish future. so it's ourjob to make sure that in europe, jews can live well, in security, and that the... i understand what you're saying. let me ask you a very blunt question, what do you as the chief of the conference of european rabbis, what do you think of benjamin netanyahu cosying up to viktor orban and the leadership in poland, both of which have very troubling attitudes many jews in europe? i think that... just tell me what you think. ok, i think that the israeli

government many times deals with governments. i think that, unofficially, the israeli government is also in touch with hamas and with other organisations which are not exactly philo—semites. and they have to deal with them because they have to make sure that israel stays secure. i am out of israel and not going to criticise the israeli state government. however, it is ourjob, again, as europeanjews, as the conference of european rabbis, to make sure that thejewish communities are not going to be undermined by the far right. just a final thought, and it involves your personal life as well. you've made a life for the last three decades in russia, and actually the position forjews in russia appears on the face of it to have improved over the last 30 years. i dare say you've been involved in that. benjamin netanyahu, again, quoting him, when there are serious, horrible terror attacks, which involvejewish people being killed in europe, he always says to thejews of, in this case, i'm quoting france, but the jews of europe, he says, "listen, israel isn'tjust the place in whose direction

you pray, the state of israel is your home, and israel is waiting for you with open arms." as a europeanjews, who has made a life in russia, do you think it is wise and helpful for the israeli prime minister to constantly telljews that ultimately, by implication, the only safe place forjews is israel? i think that israel is adding to the safety ofjews not only to thejews living in israel, but also the jews living outside of israel. if, tomorrow, god forbid, the state of israel would not exist any more, i think the situation ofjews in the whole world will change radically. we know what it meant to bejewish... i totally understand that. i don't think you're answering my specific point. is it your perspective that israel is ultimately the only safe place, truly safe place, for the jewish people? so, it is thejob of an israeli prime minister, israeli politicians, to invitejews to come to israel. it is ourjob at the conference of european rabbis to make sure that

jews in europe can live safely. and you believe they can? i believe that the future ofjews in europe is dependent on the future of europe. if europe gets its act together, and we are going to go through these changes and turbulence, and europe is going to come out as a stronger entity, a safe entity, then i think there is also a continuity forjews in europe. pinchas goldschmidt, i thank you very much for being on hardtalk. thank you. thank you very much indeed. hello there. it won't be as cold to start

this morning as it has been recent mornings. it will still be chilly, temperatures close to freezing in a few spots but not the widespread frost that we've had this week. and actually with high pressure close by, it looks dry with a little bit of sunshine, but we've changed the air across the uk so behind this warm weather front on thursday, we had the arrival of some slightly milder atlantic air. but that weather front is pushing towards the alpine regions to give more heavy snow through the day ahead. there are red warnings out for the alps, that's the highest level warning, and indeed parts of norway but across our shores, it's a generally milder air mass, if you like, during the next couple of days. which means for most of us, it won't start quite as chilly. it will take a wee while to clear this morning. it is largely frost—free. those temperatures are not too many degrees away from freezing so it will still be cold, the odd spot of frost out in the countryside

and the fog to lift, low cloud as well sitting on the hills courtesy of that weak weather front. a weak front around the northern isles with drizzle here and patchy rain enters in the north and west but there will be brighter skies coming through, perhaps southern and eastern scotland, the north—east of england and temperatures in the south in particular will be 3 or 4 degrees higher than thursday. temperatures hold up through the coming night because we've got these weather fronts gauging southwards. quite substantial rain in the north and it peters off. it does hold the temperatures up above frost levels again. the wind picks up and it will be a feature as we go through the weekend. the wind coming in from the west or north—west maintains relatively mild weather this time of year but there will be rain initially in the south and showers and longer spells of rain in the north and west but very little rain coming southwards. that brisk north—west wind becomes quite strong, particularly in the north, taking the edge of temperatures which otherwise, well up

from what they have been, but there could be quite a lot of rain coming in. saturday night and sunday across northern and western parts of scotland. it looks quite wet here. that pressure across the north sea, it will just tighten those isobars and strengthen the wind. we could fairly widespread gales. quite a blustery old day. more rain to come. again, even though the wind is blowing further south, it should blow some holes in the cloud and temperatures at 11 or 12, taking the edge offjust a little by the brisk wind. goodbye for now. i'm rico hizon in singapore.

the headlines: president trump travels to the mexico border to make his case for a wall, triggering a shutdown that is dividing america. he campaigned on it. he won on it. so what's the big deal? why is everyone surprised? he is a crisis. he's a crisis to our country. spilling the beans. president trump's former lawyer and self—declared fixer will testify to congress next month. i'm kasia madera in london. also in the programme: japan's prime minister tells theresa may that the whole world wants britain to avoid leaving the eu without a deal. and risking their lives to earn a living. we meet manila's homeless trolley pushers.