Antisemitic Incidents Rise Sharply, Charity Warns
Reports of antisemitic incidents in Britain rose sharply in the first half of the year, up by around a fifth, according to a charity that monitors anti-Jewish hatred. The Community Security Trust said levels remained close to record highs, and pointed to a rise in violent assaults. One recent attack saw a Jewish couple set upon by a group of teenagers.
The figures add to alarm about a climate of hostility that has intensified since the war in the Middle East, with Jewish communities reporting abuse in the street, online and near their places of worship. Campaigners say the war has been used as a pretext for attacks on Jews with no connection to it, and have called for tougher enforcement. The government has repeatedly pledged to protect Jewish communities and to fund security at synagogues and schools. The trend shows little sign of easing. Watch whether ministers announce fresh measures in response.