Rising Antisemitism in the UK Amidst Hamas Attacks on Israel
Key Highlights :
The Community Security Trust (CST) has reported a 324% increase in antisemitic incidents in the UK since Hamas’ attack on Israel began on October 7th. The CST, which represents British Jews on issues of racism and policing, recorded 89 incidents of ‘anti-Jewish hate’ between October 7-10, with six of those incidents being assaults. Examples of such assaults include a Jewish person walking to synagogue in London being called a “dirty Jew” and told “no wonder you’re all getting raped” and a car slowing down outside a synagogue in north east London with the occupants shouting “Kill Jews” and “Death to Israel” while waving a Palestinian flag.
Security Minister James Tugendhat has expressed his “very concern” at the reports of an increase in antisemitism in Britain and has drawn parallels between the ideology of Hamas and that of the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s. Tugendhat said that what the Nazis were doing is “exactly what Hamas is doing today”, stating that it is “preaching a blood libel, preaching a hatred for Jews and preaching a hatred that extends around the world”. The UK Government has expressed that they take the rise in antisemitism “extremely seriously” and have voiced their support for the CST and the police in cracking down on the spreading of hate.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have also made arrests after hundreds of people gathered in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday evening to take part in a vigil for those killed in Hamas’ terror strike. GMP later stated that one person had been “de-arrested following further investigation”, with three remaining under arrest. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has written to police chiefs this week, 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 Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command has also issued an appeal for anyone in the UK who has direct evidence related to the terrorist attacks in southern Israel to contact them. It has already been confirmed that another Briton has died in the incursion by Hamas fighters, with 17 UK nationals either dead or missing, including children.
British aid charity Oxfam has also started a fundraising appeal, warning that unless Tel Aviv eases its complete blockade on Gaza, then food is “likely to run out within a week”. Aleema Shivji, Oxfam’s chief impact officer, said “innocent communities are trapped in Gaza, one of the most densely populated places on earth, with no safe place to escape the Israeli airstrikes”.
The rising antisemitism in the UK amidst Hamas’ attacks on Israel is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed. The UK Government and police forces have taken steps to crack down on the spreading of hate and to ensure the safety of British citizens in the region. British aid charities have also started fundraising appeals to provide food and relief to those in Gaza who have been affected by the war. It is important that the international community comes together to provide support to those in need and to stand together against antisemitism.
