Key Highlights :
In response to the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, the UK government has announced an additional £3 million in funding for the Community Security Trust (CST) to provide extra security for the Jewish population in Britain. This comes after the CST reported a 400% spike in anti-Semitic incidents since the Hamas attack on Israel at the weekend. The additional funds will be used to place extra security guards at schools supported by the CST and to provide extra security staff outside synagogues on Friday nights and Saturday mornings when Jews are marking the sabbath.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said: “This is now the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. The United Kingdom must and will continue to stand in solidarity with Israel. At moments like this, when the Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe. That is why we must do everything in our power to protect Jewish people everywhere in our country. If anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it.”
In response to the Prime Minister’s statement, the CST issued a statement saying: “In Britain, CST has seen a serious increase in antisemitism against Jewish people and property. This is what happens when Israel is attacked or is at war. It happens because of Jew-hatred and for no other reason. CST’s mission is to stand against this hatred, to protect our community and its way of life. We are working in close partnership with police, government and all of our communal organisations, doing everything that we can to secure the physical and mental well-being of British Jews. At this time, we urge our community to be calm and resilient. Be vigilant, keep up to date with our latest security advice, and report antisemitism to police and CST.”
The funding announcement comes as some north London Jewish schools have told parents to keep their children at home on Friday. Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware, Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale, and Menorah High School in Neasden have all closed until Monday.
The Prime Minister also convened representatives from UK policing and the Jewish community with ministers at Downing Street on Thursday for discussions on policing protests. The roundtable, chaired by Home Secretary Priti Patel, comes ahead of expected protests and marches taking place across the UK this weekend. No 10 said specific guidance will be provided to police on the beat on where and when to intervene.
Earlier this week, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes wrote to police chiefs saying that waving a Palestinian flag and chanting pro-Arab songs could amount to a public order offence if it could be deemed to be in support of terror atrocities.
The UK government’s commitment to the Jewish community is clear, and the additional £3 million funding for the CST will help ensure that British Jews are safe and secure in their homes and places of worship.