Charity Reports Threefold Increase in Anti-Semitic Incidents Following Hamas Attack on Israel
Sir Keir Starmer has previously emphasized his government’s commitment to addressing the increasing anti-Semitism issue by making Holocaust education mandatory in schools.
The Community Security Trust (CST) reported a significant rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, with the number more than tripling in a year following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel.
Between Oct. 7, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, CST documented 5,583 incidents, the highest ever recorded in a 12-month period.
According to the charity, instances of anti-Jewish hatred typically surge during conflicts in Israel. However, an unprecedented increase in incidents occurred starting on Oct. 7 even before Israel’s military response.
Following the attack, anti-Semitic incidents spiked, with over 1,400 reported in October alone, and more than 200 incidents each month since.
Compared to the previous period (October 2022 to September 2023), there was a 204 percent increase in incidents, totaling 1,830.
The charity detailed the incidents, with abusive behavior being the most common (4,583), along with threats, assault, damage to property, and anti-Semitic literature. A single incident of extreme violence was also reported.
London had the highest number of incidents at 3,167, followed by Manchester, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, and the West Midlands.
Mandatory Holocaust Lessons
Amid the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the shadow cast by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East over the Jewish community.
He pledged to make Holocaust education mandatory in all schools in England, including those not following the national curriculum.
The government will allocate £2.2 million to the Lessons From Auschwitz project, providing pupils with experiences like visiting Nazi concentration camps in Poland and interacting with Holocaust survivors.
Starmer announced this initiative at the Holocaust Education Trust appeal dinner on Sept. 17, reiterating the government’s commitment to combatting anti-Semitism.
He vowed to confront and fight anti-Semitism, emphasizing the importance of standing against such hatred.
Iran Attacks Israel
Amid Israel’s conflict with various Iran proxies, including Hezbollah, Starmer condemned Iran and expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
