British Jews suffered 'worst levels of antisemitism in decades' in 2021, new report finds

5 August 2021, 12:56 | Updated: 5 August 2021, 13:49

Protesters at the 'Enough Is Enough' demonstration against Labour antisemitism in 2018
Protesters at the 'Enough Is Enough' demonstration against Labour antisemitism in 2018. Picture: Getty

By Will Taylor

More than 1,000 anti-Jewish hate incidents have been recorded across the UK this year – a 49% rise from the first half of 2020.

It is the highest total the group behind the research, the Community Security Trust (CST), has ever logged in the first half of a year.

The CST said the huge rise came amid anti-Jewish hate during Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza and after.

CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner said: "This year British Jews have suffered levels of hatred that were worse than anything seen in recent decades. Some of the abuse and harassment targeting young people in particular was disgraceful.

"Looking ahead, CST will keep doing everything that we can to protect our Jewish communities, and to give them the security and comfort that they need."

In May, a monthly record of 639 antisemitic incidents was logged, accounting for half of all this year's incidents.

The report also found 130 anti-Jewish hate incidents involving schools, students and teachers, a rise of 491% from the 22 logged in the first six months of 2020.

A total of 89 violent antisemitic incidents were logged, including two considered to have involved potential GBH or a threat to life.

More than 1,000 instances of abusive behaviour, such as verbal abuse or antisemitic graffiti, were seen.

David Baddiel on the double edged sword of antisemitism

There were 748 antisemitic incidents in Greater London.

A further 396 incidents were also noted by the CST throughout the UK but were not deemed to be antisemitic, which included potentially "hostile reconnaissance" at Jewish locations and criminal activity affecting Jewish people and buildings.

The most commonly seen language or imagery used referenced the conflict, showed anti-Zionist political motivation or both, the CST said.

There were 43 incidents where Israel was compared with Nazi Germany.

The CST also recorded 277 incidents where far-right or Nazi-related discourse was used, along with 59 incidents that showed far-right political motivation, the CST added.

"The surge in incidents correlating with conflict in the Middle East also coincided with the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, and continued a pattern in which the peaks and troughs of recorded antisemitism corresponded with the severity of governmental restrictions on public or collective activity," the group said.

"In January 2021 just 89 antisemitic incidents were reported to CST, the lowest monthly total recorded since December 2017 (86 incidents) and only the second month since then in which CST recorded fewer than 100 antisemitic incidents, with December 2020 (90 incidents) the other.

"In contrast, May saw the relaxation of many pandemic-related restrictions. It is possible that the loosening of social regulations, coinciding with the war in Israel and Gaza - a subject that triggers strong emotional responses - provided people with a potential release from months of lockdown-induced frustration."

The CST also found that the pandemic caused people to express antisemitism in other ways. There were 10 instances of "zoombombing", an intrusion on a video call, and instances where antisemitic rhetoric was linked to conspiracy theories about Covid.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of a 20-year-old man in Hackney.

Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after 20-year-old dies in east London stabbing

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist increase chance of 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' striking earth

Breaking
The scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. The large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village.

Major incident declared after second sinkhole opens up on residential Surrey street

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan

'It's bonkers': Sadiq Khan hits out at Trump for 'rewarding' Putin while excluding Ukraine from peace talks

The mother of Lindsay Foreman, left, who is being detained in Iran for alleged espionage, says the charges are made up.

Mother of Brit detained in Iran during round-the-world motorbike trip says espionage charges are 'made up'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Trump is living in a ‘disinformation space’, says Zelenskyy as he hits back at US for ‘helping’ Putin 'come out of isolation'

Examples of 'zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham. Underage teenagers buying knives online remains 'a really concerning picture' for police, with illegal dealers selling weapons via social media.

Labour announces crackdown on online knife sellers as weapons 'easier for young people to buy than paracetamol'

Ukraine 'could partner with Europe' if sidelined from negotiations - as Ben Wallace brands Trump remarks 'pure Disney'

Ukraine 'could partner with Europe' if sidelined from negotiations - as Ben Wallace brands Trump remarks 'pure Disney'

Raducanu was seen wiping away her tears

Tearful Emma Raducanu hides behind umpire after being confronted by 'fixated man' who is then dragged away

Pope Francis

Pope Francis fears he 'may not survive' as Pontif battles 'complex' double pneumonia

False killer whales became stranded on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on a remote beach on near Arthur River in Australia's island state of Tasmania.

Horror as nearly 100 false killer whales set to be euthanised after mass stranding on Australian beach

Charlotte Peet has gone missing in Brazil.

Desperate hunt for missing Brit journalist, 32, who vanished almost two weeks ago in Brazil

Pete Doherty of The Libertines has shared a worrying health update.

Pete Doherty risks having toes amputated in battle with Type 2 Diabetes, rock star tells fans in health update

£60 Million Worth of Watches Stolen in Britain Last Year Amid Rising Global Watch Crime

UK faces surge in luxury watch theft as stolen timepieces top £1.6 billion with £60 million taken in Britain last year alone

A graphic depiction of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, the two documentary makers behind the project are now facing criticism over the children featured.

BBC blasted for 'blindly spouting propaganda' over claims Gaza documentary features Hamas leader's son

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed

Mother of Southport attack victim praises local community as she speaks out for the first time since knife rampage