Jewish worshippers beaten, alleged arson attack on a property and religious ornaments vandalised: Report reveals record levels of hatred towards British Jews as Hamas attacks drive up antisemitism

British Jews have suffered record levels of vile anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of this year, a shocking new report reveals today.

Figures from the Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents from January to June this year, up 105 per cent on the same period last year.

Just over half were linked to, or referenced, the Hamas atrocities of October 7 last year, Israel, the Palestinian territories or the subsequent war, the charity said.

The total included one incident of ‘extreme violence’ – an alleged arson attack on a residential property – during the period, the report said.

Cases of assault jumped 41 per cent period-on-period from 86 to 121.

The Community Security Trust, an antisemitism charity, recorded 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents from January to June this year

British Jews have suffered record levels of vile anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of this year, a shocking new report reveals today. Pictured: A previous incident of ‘intimidation’ involving red paint being thrown at a school

Figures from the Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents, including graffiti and vandalism, from January to June this year, up 105 per cent on the same period last year

The CST’s report said: ‘In 26 violent incidents in the first half of 2024, the offender threw eggs, stones, bricks, bottles or other objects at the victim, and 16 of these projectiles were launched from a passing vehicle.

‘In 25 instances, the victim was punched or kicked, while in 19 cases, the victim was spat at.

‘In 16 attacks, the perpetrator stripped the victim of religious clothes or accessories; on five occasions, the offender fired a non-lethal gun at the victim; one incident involved a knife; and on one occasion, a vehicle was used to physically endanger pedestrians.’

The figures also highlighted large increases in incidents against Jewish schools or schoolchildren, and in universities.

There were 162 incidents at Jewish schools or directed against Jewish pupils, up 119 per cent period-on-period.

‘There were 96 anti-Semitic incidents in which the victims or offenders were students or academics, or which involved student unions, societies or other representative bodies,’ the report went on.

‘Of these, 44 took place on campus or university property and 45 were online.

‘It is a record half-year figure and a sharp increase of 465 per cent from the same period in 2023.’

The report described how four Israelis were targeted in central London in January, with one woman punched, after three men of ‘Arab or North African appearance’ confronted them and said: ‘f**k Jews, Hamas is the best’.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) said: ‘There is no place in Britain for this vile hatred’

A sticker of a Palestine flag with the slogan ‘Jews are the scum of the earth’ is displayed in London in October last year

In other incidents, ‘Death to Jew Scum’ was daubed on a fence in Surrey in June, while in London a public menorah – a candelabra used during the Jewish Chanukah festival – was daubed with red paint alongside the word ‘Gaza’ in May.

Of the total number of incidents 630 took place online, up 153 per cent compared with the same period last year.

There were reports of anti-Semitism in all areas of the country apart from Lincolnshire and Suffolk. 

The largest number – 1,035 – occurred in London.

CST chief executive Mark Gardner said: ‘The disgraceful surge in British anti-Semitism is further evidenced by these latest figures.

‘CST applauds our community’s ever-increasing determination to stand strong and proud, despite the hatred, vilification and blatant double standards that we too often face, including from many who perversely call themselves anti-racists.’

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘There is no place in Britain for this vile hatred and we are absolutely clear that those who push this poison – on the streets or online – must always face the full force of the law.’ 

A poster of Kfir Bibas, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, is daubed with swastikas

A piece of graffiti reading ‘Kill Jews’ in London that was submitted to the Community Safety Trust 

She added that the ‘soaring levels of anti-Semitic hate’ set out in the report were ‘truly appalling’.

Chief Constable Chris Noble, a spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: ‘Our long-standing and trusted relationship with the CST is invaluable and from the beginning of this conflict, it has been critical in our efforts to understand levels of threat facing Jewish communities, and to look for ways to mitigate harm.

‘The abuse suffered by Jewish communities is utterly unacceptable.

‘We will continue to work alongside the CST and other partners to reassure communities and bring hate crime offenders to justice.’

In February a separate organisation, Tell MAMA, said there had been a rise of more than 300 per cent in anti-Muslim hate incidents during the four months after October 7, compared with the same period the previous year.