Antisemitic Violence in the UK: A Crisis of Systemic Racism and State Complicity

The Community Security Trust (CST) has recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase from the same period last year. This marks the second highest total ever recorded by the CST since 1984, revealing a deeply entrenched crisis of anti-Jewish racism that demands urgent structural analysis, not just hollow condemnations.

These figures are not merely statistics; they represent the lived reality of a community under siege. Arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish organisations in London, the stabbing of two visibly Jewish men in Golders Green, and the torching of four volunteer ambulances in March are stark reminders that antisemitism is not an abstract hate but a violent, embodied oppression. The CST noted surges in incidents following these events, with the highest daily total after the double stabbing on 29 April.

Why Are Antisemitic Incidents Rising in the UK?

The ongoing war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, is a key driver. 41% of recorded incidents combined anti-Jewish language with references to Israel, Palestine, or Hamas. But this is not a simple reaction to geopolitical events. It is a symptom of deeper, intersecting systems of oppression: the weaponisation of identity politics by far-right and far-left extremists, the failure of state institutions to protect marginalised communities, and the normalisation of racist rhetoric in public discourse.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones called the numbers 'appalling,' stating that people are 'living in fear just for being who they are.' Yet such statements ring hollow without concrete action. The government's independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord John Mann, warned that 'anti-Jewish racism in the UK remains at an all-time high and continues to pose a significant threat to our democracy.' He expressed particular concern about the 'increasingly violent' nature of these attacks.

What Do the Data Reveal About Systemic Failures?

The CST's data exposes a crisis of institutional accountability. Antisemitism in schools has reached the highest level ever recorded for the first six months of any year, jumping 59% from 112 to 178 incidents. This is not a problem of 'bad apples' but a systemic failure to embed anti-racist education and safeguard policies. A government-commissioned independent review into antisemitism in schools, led by Sir David Bell, is expected in the autumn. But without addressing the root causes — including the rise of Islamophobia, the normalisation of far-right rhetoric, and the state's complicity in the violence in Gaza — such reviews risk becoming performative.

Mark Gardner, CST chief executive, framed these attacks as threats to British society itself: 'These attacks are directed against British Jews but they are also attacks on Britain and our society. They should concern everyone who cares about Britain and the threats against it, whether state-directed from Iran, or internally driven by Islamist, far-right, far-left, or other ideological extremes.'

How Does the UK Compare Globally?

Separate data from the J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism found that the UK recorded the biggest rise in antisemitic incidents last year of any country with a major Jewish population outside Israel. 2025 was the deadliest year for Jews in the diaspora in more than three decades. This global context underscores that antisemitism is not a UK-specific issue but a transnational crisis rooted in colonialism, imperialism, and the weaponisation of identity.

What Can Be Done? A Call for Intersectional Solidarity

Addressing antisemitism requires more than policing or government statements. It demands a radical, intersectional approach that recognises the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression. We must:

• Deconstruct the state's role in perpetuating violence: The UK government's complicity in the war in Gaza fuels antisemitic and Islamophobic violence alike. A decolonial foreign policy is essential.
• Centre the voices of marginalised Jews: Jewish communities are not monolithic. We must listen to queer Jews, Jews of colour, and working-class Jews who are often erased from mainstream narratives.
• Invest in community-led safety: Abolitionist approaches to safety must include funding for community defence networks, not increased police presence.
• Embed anti-racist education in schools: Curricula must address antisemitism alongside Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, and other forms of hate, with a focus on historical and structural analysis.

As activists and scholars have long argued, fighting antisemitism means fighting all forms of oppression. We cannot dismantle one without dismantling the others. The rise in antisemitic incidents is a warning: the UK is failing its Jewish communities, and this failure is a symptom of a broader crisis of democracy and justice.

Photo: BBC

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Community Security Trust (CST)?

The CST is a UK-based organisation that provides security advice and support to the Jewish community, and records antisemitic incidents. It has been collecting data since 1984.

Why are antisemitic incidents rising in UK schools?

The CST recorded a 59% increase in antisemitic incidents in schools, reaching the highest level ever for a first half of a year. This reflects broader societal failures, including the normalisation of hate speech and inadequate anti-racist education.

How does the war in Gaza relate to antisemitism in the UK?

41% of antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2026 referenced Israel, Palestine, or Hamas. The war has intensified both antisemitic and Islamophobic violence, highlighting the need for a decolonial approach to foreign policy.

What is the government doing to address this crisis?

The government has commissioned an independent review into antisemitism in schools, led by Sir David Bell. However, critics argue that without addressing the root causes, including state complicity in the Gaza war, such measures are insufficient.