Anti-Semitic attacks in Britain ‘will worsen’ until Israel-Gaza conflict subsides

Cars in Jewish areas have been vandalised as community groups warn that anti-Semitic attacks in the UK will “continue, or indeed worsen” until the current conflict in the Middle East subsides.

Religious leaders, MPs and the Prime Minister have spoken out to condemn anti-Semitism in the UK, as tensions in the Middle East continue to flare amid fears of a rising death toll.

Sunday saw the bloodiest attack in Gaza so far, with 42 killed in a single strike by the Israeli military.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, said the attacks would continue with "full force" until underground tunnels, which Israel says harbour Hamas militants, have been destroyed and as ongoing rocket fire from the Palestinian militant group continues to target Israel.

Over the weekend in London, activists protesting against Israel's attacks drove in convoy through Golders Green and Finchley, both areas with large Jewish populations, shouting "F--- the Jews, rape their daughters" through a megaphone.

The Metropolitan Police has since made four arrests in connection with the incident.

However, as protests took place across the country, other police forces are also investigating reports of anti-Semitic incidents.

The multiple investigations have prompted Jewish security organisations to warned that incidents anti-Semitism in the UK will “continue, or indeed worsen”, until the conflict in the Middle East subsides.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the force is aware of an incident in Salford in which Jewish-owned cars were vandalised, with officers currently investigating.

Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a think tank dedicated to campaigning against abuse in the ultra orthodox Jewish, Charedi community, tweeted: “Last night in Broughton Park, Salford, Jewish owned cars were vandalised and over shabbos, Jews were harassed and abused by #freepalestine protestors. @gmpolice have been incredible.”

The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism also tweeted a link to a video on Sunday which it said appeared to show a person being harassed by a crowd in Manchester Arndale amid chants of “free Palestine”.

The organisation called for witnesses to contact the police.

The Prime Minister joined politicians from across the political spectrum, including several of his Cabinet ministers, in condemning the anti-Semitic slurs filmed in London.

"There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society," Mr Johnson tweeted. "Ahead of [the Jewish festival of] Shavuot, I stand with Britain’s Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today."

Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary, and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, also urged police to take action against the protesters.

Meanwhile, Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, called the abuse "disgusting and disgraceful", while Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said a video of the convoy was "utterly disgusting" and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, described the incident as a "hate crime".

Separately, Rafi Goodwin, a rabbi from Chigwell, Essex, was taken to hospital after being attacked in the street and abused with anti-Semitic slurs.

The motive for the attack is unknown but Essex Police confirmed that the incident was not linked to wider pro-Palestine protests that have occurred over the weekend.

Following the incidents, the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semtitism and related threats, released a statement saying that it had recorded a “sharp rise” in anti-Semitic incidents in the UK “linked to the conflict in Israel and Gaza”.

A spokesperson said: “This includes verbal abuse, threats, and a very large amount of hatred in social media and online. We have also seen numerous anti-Israel demonstrations featuring large crowds of angry protesters, a minority of whom have used anti-Semitic chants or placards.

“This may heighten local tensions and potentially cause more anti-Semitism. CST expects the levels of anti-Semitism to continue, or indeed worsen, until the conflict in Israel and Gaza subsides."

The CST spokesperson added that it is in close contact with police and the Government and its operations have increased “because of the situation”, and that it has asked all communal locations to “fully enact their security procedures”.

“We work in partnership with you so that our communal life is not defined by anti-Semitism, doing our best to ensure that British Jews can lead their lives as they choose. Finally, we urge our community to be calm but vigilant. If you witness anything suspicious, please report this to police on 999 immediately and then CST.”

Making a statement on anti-Semitic attacks, the Communities Secretary told the Commons: "No one could fail to be appalled by the disgraceful scenes of anti-Semitic abuse being directed at members of the Jewish community in the past week".

Mr Jenrick added that the Government would shortly name and shame councils and universities which refused to sign up to The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.

He told the Commons: "I have written to councils and universities who are still dragging their feet. They will shortly be named and shamed if they fail to act.

"All bar one Member of Parliament has signed up to it."

He continued: "Today, the Government, and I hope that the whole House sends a clear message of support and reassurance to our Jewish friends and neighbours."