Attacks against British Jews soar to record levels, with critics blaming anti-Semitism in the Labour party for the rise

  • 892 anti-Semitism incidents were reported in the first six months of the year
  • Already 10 per cent more than the total recorded for the whole of 2018 
  • Community Security Trust suggested problems with anti-semitism in the Labour party had contributed to the rise

By SOPHIE BORLAND FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Published: | Updated:

Attacks against British Jews have soared to record levels, a charity warned yesterday.

A total of 892 anti-Semitism incidents were reported in the first six months of the year to the Community Security Trust – 10 per cent more than the total recorded for the whole of 2018, and the highest for any six-month period.

The charity, which protects the Jewish community, said the rise partly reflected the news being dominated by anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, which had prompted others to carry out copycat abuse, usually name-calling and racist posts on social media sites.

The Community Security Trust which protects the Jewish community, said the rise partly reflected the news being dominated by anti-Semitism in the Labour Party

The Community Security Trust which protects the Jewish community, said the rise partly reflected the news being dominated by anti-Semitism in the Labour Party

By comparison, 810 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to the charity during 2018 as a whole.

Chief executive David Delew said: ‘The problem is spreading across the country and online, it reflects deepening divisions in our society and it is causing increasing anxiety in the Jewish community.’

He added: ‘It will take people of all communities and backgrounds standing together to turn this tide of hate around.’

Part of the increase is likely to be explained by improved recording of incidents and victims being more willing to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, the National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman on hate crime, said: ‘There are still far too many who are prepared to act illegally, fuelled by global events, divisions in society or bigoted ideologies. It is always concerning to see indicators of increased hate crime.’

 

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