438 percent increase in antisemitic incidents, with most relating to Israel-Gaza
Of the 86 incidents recorded in the past 10 days, all but three involved language, imagery or behaviour linking them to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
There have been 86 reports of antisemitic incidents over the past ten days, the Community Security Trust has confirmed.
New statistics published on Monday confirmed a staggering 438 percent rise in such incidents since hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians erupted on May 6.
Of the 86 antisemitic incidents, almost all of them (83) involved language, imagery or behaviour linking them to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Four of the 86 involved violent assault, of which the most serious was the assault on Chigwell Rabbi Rafi Goodwin.
In the ten days prior to May 8, CST said there had been 16 incidents reported.
CST said they fully expect that there will be an increase in incidents that have occurred over the weekend and Yom Tov that have not yet been reported.
Figures going back to 2007 show that the rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK corresponds with any rise in tensions in the Middle East.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “These statistics and the disgraceful antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community we have witnessed in the last few days are deeply shameful.”
Rabbi Goodwin needed hospital treatment after he was attacked outside Chigwell Synagogue and two men from Ilford have now been arrested.
It is not clear if the attack is directly related to tensions over Israel.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
