New funding of up to £7m to tackle antisemitism

Jeremy Hunt has announced funding of up to £7m over the next three years to organisations such as the Holocaust Educational Trust after expressing “deep concern” about rising antisemitism in the UK.

Delivering his Autumn Statement in the Commons on Wednesday, the chancellor began by referencing his “horror” at the terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel on 7 October, and “the subsequent loss of life on both sides”.

He then told MPs: “I will remember for the rest of my life, as I know many honourable members will, being taken to Auschwitz by Rabbi Barry Marcus and the remarkable HET.

“I am deeply concerned about the rise in antisemitism in our country so I am announcing up to £7m over the next three years to organisations like HET to tackle antisemitism in schools and universities.”

He added: “I will also repeat the £3m uplift to the Community Security Trust. When it comes to antisemitism, and all forms of racism we must never allow the clock to be turned back.”

Later a treasury office said the £7m would be available to approved organisations who made an application to fund work tackling antisemitism in schools and universities.

Earlier, UK political leaders responded to the announcement of the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza.

Rishi Sunak said:”We welcome the agreement reached overnight for a humanitarian pause in Gaza. This is something we have consistently pushed for and is a crucial step towards ending the nightmare for families of those being taken hostage by Hamas in the terror attack.

“And also addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Foreign secretary Lord Cameron added:”This pause provides an important opportunity to ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel and other life-saving aid can reach Gaza on a sustained basis.

“We have already doubled our aid commitment to Palestinians this year and will work closely with the UN to ensure it reaches those who need it.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer added: “I welcome the news of an agreement to release the first hostages and to have a substantial humanitarian pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

“I call for all remaining hostages to be released and all sides to uphold this agreement. A substantial humanitarian pause is what Labour has been calling for alongside our international partners. We must now ensure this pause is used to tackle the urgent and unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”

In response to Hunt’s announcement HET’s Karen Pollock CBE said:”Antisemitism is at an all time high across the United Kingdom.

“We have seen a shocking rise of anti-Jewish racism on our streets, online, on university campuses, and in our schools. Education is the key in combatting the world’s oldest hatred. The Holocaust Educational Trust has worked with Government for years and we thank them for their trust in us and this continued support.

“Together with partners – the Community Security Trust, the Union of Jewish Students and others – we will make sure that people from all backgrounds understand that antisemitism did not end in 1945 after the Holocaust but changes and evolves. We will continue to educate so that generations will stand up to the anti-Jewish hatred we see today.

“Thank you to the Government for joining us to ensure that ‘Never Again’ is never allowed to ring hollow.”