LONDON — Fashion figures in Britain are speaking out against antisemitism, and have written an open letter to members of the industry condemning online bullying and acts of violence which have erupted within the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

Designer Deborah Lyons, who penned the letter on behalf of a wider group of industry figures, said the aim is to lift awareness and ask fashion corporations to carry employees to account in the event that they are abusive or bullying to people due to their culture or religion.

In an interview, Lyons said that within the skilled space, people should speak for peace, or they ought to be quiet. She said people mustn’t be bullied or harassed within the workplace, and that features the web space. “We’d like to separate politics from humanity” and professionalism, she said.

The letter, which began circulating on Thursday and has greater than 130 signatures to this point, describes fashion as “a robust platform for self-expression, inclusivity, and the celebration of diverse cultures. It has been heart-breaking for us to witness so many instances where our industry has continued to enable acts of discrimination and hatred.”

The letter goes on to say that recent media reports “and our own personal experiences have make clear the presence of antisemitic behavior and stereotypes getting used on and offline by members of the style industry. This perpetuates harmful narratives and contributes to the marginalization of Jewish individuals and communities.”

The letter suggests that fashion corporations and organizations should implement “regular mandatory diversity and sensitivity training for all employees, from designers to executives, ensuring a deeper understanding of various cultures and religions, including Judaism.”

Lyons writes that “fashion corporations should publicly denounce any acts of antisemitism, and take swift and decisive motion against individuals or brands that perpetuate” such behavior.

“We urge you to handle this issue by severing ties with individuals who’ve a track record in engaging in discriminatory practices that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and that you just join our demand for a fashion industry that promotes unity, understanding, and equality for all.”

Signatories to this point include Ulric Jerome, the previous chief executive officer of Matches and a fashion and sweetness investor; Pierre Mallevays, founder and managing partner of the M&A advisory firm Savigny Partners; Caroline Burstein Hammond, owner of Browns Bride; Luke Hersheson, CEO of Hershesons brand and salon; Elana Nathan, the investor and former co-owner and CEO of Peter Som, and Sophie Mechaly, founding father of Paul & Joe.

Designers and entrepreneurs on the list include Lyons, Olivia Rubin, Jane Lewis, Emily Cohen and Sabrina Naggar of Sunuva Swimwear. Other signatories include PR figures corresponding to Mandi Lennard, Lois Clark, and Lydia Steele in addition to buyers, managers and merchandisers from brands and retailers corresponding to Selfridges, Prada Group, Net-a-porter, Browns, Theory and Matches.

As reported earlier this week, Net-a-porter suspended all merchandise from the Tel Aviv-based label Dodo Bar Or in response to the designer’s posting a video on her social media account that looked as if it would equate the Muslim call to prayer with terrorism.

Net-a-porter said it made the choice to suspend the label’s clothing because “discrimination, hate, and violence don’t have any place on our platforms.”

The retailer said in an announcement to WWD that its policy “applies consistently to all brands we stock in all markets. After content appeared that was offensive and inflammatory, the brand in query has been suspended from our sites.”

Bar Or has since pulled down the video and posted a clarification on Instagram saying that she “strongly condemns terrorism,” and “didn’t mean to offend anyone” by posting the video. “I support my country, and pray for the immediate protected return of our hostages” in Gaza, she wrote.

The gathering is obtainable once more on Net-a-porter.

Lyons’ open letter to the industry began circulating hours after vandals were reported to have daubed “Gaza” in red paint on the front of the Wiener Holocaust Library in London. The library describes itself as “certainly one of the world’s leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust, the Nazi era and genocide.” 

Last month, London’s Metropolitan Police published figures on hate crimes in London. The force said that between Sept. 29 and Oct. 12, there was an eight-fold increase in “antisemitic incidents” year-on-year within the British capital. The Met also said there was an increase in Islamophobia, with incidents nearly doubling over the past 12 months.