London, UK – The Community Security Trust (CST) has reported a staggering increase in the number of antisemitic incidents in the UK, reaching an unprecedented high in 2023. The charity recorded over 4,000 incidents, nearly double its previous record, attributing the surge to the “sheer volume” following the Hamas attacks of 7 October.
Among the incidents reported, the charity noted a disturbing trend of antisemitism perpetrated by children, with close to one-fifth of recorded incidents involving offenders under the age of 18. These incidents ranged from graffiti in Jewish communities to verbal abuse and threats directed at visibly Jewish individuals during pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The rise in antisemitic incidents has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders, with Home Secretary James Cleverly and Labour’s Yvette Cooper both denouncing the surge as “utterly deplorable” and “appalling and intolerable,” respectively. The government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann, emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that the figures are a “reminder to British civil society of the serious nature of antisemitism and the impact that it has on the Jewish community.”
In response to the disturbing trend, the Home Secretary pledged to do “everything in my power” to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community in light of the concerning rise in antisemitic incidents. The report’s findings also highlighted the widespread nature of these incidents, with at least one recorded in every single police region in the UK throughout 2023.
CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner expressed deep concern over the surge in hatred against the Jewish community, emphasizing that it is occurring across various settings, including schools, universities, workplaces, and social media. In addition to the recorded incidents, the charity received a further 2,185 reports of potential incidents in 2023, although they were not deemed to be antisemitic in nature.
The alarming data serves as a stark reminder of the persistent presence of antisemitism in the UK, prompting renewed calls for concerted efforts to combat and address the issue to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish community within the country.