Key facts
- Nearly 2,000 anti-Jewish hate incidents were recorded in Britain in the first half of 2024.
- This represents a 21% increase compared to the same period last year.
- The Community Security Trust (CST) observed a surge in incidents after the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran began in February.
- The UK government will provide £250 million over three years to bolster security for Jewish communities.
- Notable incidents included stabbings and arson attacks on synagogues.
Antisemitism in Britain remains close to record levels, with the Community Security Trust (CST) recording 1,926 anti-Jewish hate incidents in the first six months of the year. This figure represents a 21% increase compared to the same period in the previous year and is the second-highest total ever recorded for the first half of a year.
The CST reported that incidents saw a spike following the commencement of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran in February. British authorities have accused Tehran of utilizing proxies to conduct attacks within Britain and across Europe, though Iran has consistently denied any involvement.
Notable incidents included the stabbing of two Jewish worshippers in north London in April, an attack being treated as terrorism by the police, and a series of arson attacks on Jewish synagogues and premises. The CST's chief executive, Mark Gardner, stated that these attacks should be a concern for all who care about Britain and the threats it faces, whether state-directed from Iran or driven by internal ideological extremes.
The rise in incidents follows a previous attack on a synagogue in Manchester last October, which resulted in two fatalities. These events have contributed to a sense of fear among many British Jews. In response, the British government announced it would allocate £250 million over the next three years to bolster the security of Jewish communities, including providing additional officers to safeguard schools, synagogues, and community centers. Policing minister Sarah Jones affirmed the government's commitment to protecting Jewish communities, stating that antisemitism contradicts the nation's values.