Anti-Israel backlash sees more than 70 anti-Semitic incidents in UK

More than 70 anti-Semitic incidents have been reported across the UK since the start of the month as British Jewry continues to face a backlash from the Middle East crisis. 

The numbers include 10 violent incidents and represent “roughly double the number we would expect under ‘normal’ circumstances”, according to the Community Security Trust.

Cases include a brick being thrown at a synagogue in Belfast and “baby murderers” being shouted at a shul in Liverpool.

In north London, a rabbi was verbally abused by a group of youths shouting ‘Free Palestine, F*** the Zionists, F*** the Jews.”

A week after the hashtag #Hitlerwasright trended on Twitter, one protester at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London displayed a sign saying: ‘Save Gaza! Hitler, you were right”, while other protesters have used Nazi imagery to abuse Israel. 

The CST said around two thirds of the total number of incidents reveal a direct link to the conflict and the number of cases reported has “escalated” since the IDF launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July.

Around 14 incidents have involved the use of social media, with one user writing on Twitter: “I say we go bomb Stamford hill up just so the Jews feel the pain.” 

Some suggested that hate or abuse on social media should not be included in numbers, the CST suggested. But it added: “We do not agree. Firstly, if a victim considers a tweet to be offensive or threatening enough to report it, we will respect their feelings and their reaction.

“Secondly, if somebody shouts an anti-Semitic comment at a Jewish person in the street, it may only be heard by one person; if that same comment is put on Twitter, it can be seen by an unlimited number of people and it has a permanent record.” 

While the organisation said that reports suggest that anti-Semitism from Muslims “is playing a significant role” in the high numbers, it welcomed a statement from the Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General Dr Shuja Shafi expressing resolve to “ensure the conflict does not affect excellent relations between Muslims and Jews in the UK”. 

Dr Shafi said: “We urge all our communities to remember the importance of civility and courtesy between each other. We may hold different views on the conflict, and we may lobby and protest in accordance with our principled positions, but we are committed to ensure that this is not done at the expense of one another.” 

The CST’s blog added: “The anti-Semitic incidents and incitement seen in Britain over the past two weeks suggest that this danger is getting more, not less, acute.

“There should be zero tolerance within pro-Palestinian groups, and wider society, for anybody who targets Jews in word or deed.”