Anti-Semitic incidents hit a new high

A record number of anti-Semitic incidents have been reported in the first six months of 2017.

The Community Security Trust (CST) received 767 reports of incidents between January and June – 30% higher than in the first six months of 2016.

A total of 80 incidents involved physical attacks; whilst 568 incidents were of an abusive nature, including people being shouted at in the street.

President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jonathan Arkush, said that these figures:

“will be of deep concern to all Jews, particularly as there have been no specific events to provoke the upsurge.”

He said that the UK is generally a safe place for Jews but: “the government, police and other authorities must read the warning signals and take whatever action is needed to secure the continued safety of the Jewish community.”

CST Chief Executive, David Delew said:

“CST has again recorded an unprecedented number of anti-Semitic incidents, with figures now almost twice as bad as five years ago. Some of this may be down to improved reporting, but it is sadly clear that the overall situation has deteriorated.”

Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, responded to the CST’s report by saying that:

“Antisemitism has no place in this country, which prides itself on openness, diversity and tolerance. This Government’s Hate Crime Action Plan has improved the response of law enforcement to these deplorable crimes, including encouraging more victims to report incidents directly to police or via trusted organisations such as CST.”

It should be noted that the figures do not include a further 483 reports received by the CST which were not deemed to be anti-Semitic.