In response to the recent surge in antisemitic incidents, two Jewish schools in north London, Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware and Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale, have taken the precautionary measure of closing their doors in the interest of the safety of their students. The decision was communicated to parents on Thursday evening, with plans to reopen on Monday.
Although there was no specific threat to either school, Rabbi Feldman of Torah Vodaas emphasised that the decision to close was not taken lightly. The closure comes amidst concerns over retaliatory attacks due to the ongoing conflict in Israel, prompting schools to advise Jewish students to disguise their uniforms.
The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity organisation, has reported a staggering 324% increase in antisemitism-related incidents over the last four days. From October 7 to October 10, 2023, CST recorded at least 89 antisemitic incidents across the UK. These incidents range from assaults, damage to Jewish property, direct threats, and various forms of abusive behavior, including verbal abuse, hate mail, and online abuse.
Comparatively, during the same four-day period in 2022, CST recorded 21 antisemitic incidents, indicating a significant increase of 324% this year. The rise in incidents has raised concerns, as perpetrators often employ symbols and language associated with pro-Palestinian politics as a means to threaten and abuse Jewish individuals and institutions.
It is important to note that the figures mentioned above are provisional and likely to increase further as more delayed reports are received and verified by CST. This surge in antisemitic incidents exceeds the numbers recorded during previous conflicts involving Israel, such as in May 2021, when 70 incidents were reported in the first four days, and in July 2014, when 29 incidents were recorded.
Alongside the 89 antisemitic incidents, CST also logged 65 incidents that are not classified as antisemitic. These include criminal acts affecting Jewish people and property, suspicious behavior near Jewish locations, and anti-Israel activity that does not specifically target the Jewish community or employ antisemitic language.
The incidents have been geographically widespread, with 50 occurring in Greater London, 12 in Greater Manchester, and others in the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, and various locations across the UK.
To address the escalating situation, the UK government has announced an additional £3 million in funding for the CST, bringing the total funding for the Jewish Community Protection Security grant to £18 million for 2023-24. This funding will enable the CST to deploy additional guards in supported schools during operating hours and increase security staff presence at synagogues during Friday nights and Saturday mornings.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened a meeting at Downing Street with senior ministers, police chiefs, and the CST to discuss community protection and policing protests. The roundtable aimed to address the security concerns of British communities, especially in light of anticipated protests and marches across the country. The government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the Jewish community remains resolute, with the Prime Minister affirming complete backing for their protection.
In light of the rising threats faced by Jewish individuals and institutions, CST urges anyone who experiences or witnesses antisemitism to report it to the police and CST promptly. By taking action against those seeking to intimidate and threaten the community, it is possible to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for such acts of hatred.
